Does a Marine's load impact the lumbar spine? 5 key findings

Spine

A new study published in Spine examines how the loads active duty Marines carry impact their lumbar spine.

The study authors took MRIs of 12 active duty Marines while standing without their loads as well as carrying 22 kg, 33 kg and 45 kg loads. The loads were distributed 50 percent to 50 percent and 20 percent to 80 percent anteriorly and posteriorly. The researchers found:

 

1. There weren't any changes in the lumbar spine posture when the loads were distributed evenly when compared with the 20 percent to 80 percent distribution.

 

2. The lumbosacral flexion increased when carrying the loads at a 20 percent to 80 percent distribution due to the sacral anterior rotation as well as a reduced lumbar lordosis.

 

3. The lumbosacral flexion increased when the load went from 22 kg to 33 kg but not between 33 kg and 45 kg.

 

4. The superior lumbar spine grew more lordotic when the load magnitude increased.

 

5. The study authors concluded that load carriage limits based on the posture changes "are relevant when loads are nonuniformly distributed."

 

"Although the tendency would be to interpret that loads should be carried symmetrically to protect the spine, the relationship between posture changes and injury are not clear," concluded the study authors.

 

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