title: Prediction of magnetic resonance imaging-derived trunk muscle geometry with application to spine biomechanical modeling.
abstract: Accurate geometry of the trunk musculature is essential for reliably estimating spinal loads in biomechanical models. Currently, many models employ straight muscle path assumptions that yield far less accurate tissue loads, particularly in extreme postures. Precise muscle moment-arms and physiological cross-sectional areas are important when incorporating curved muscle geometry in biomechanical models. The objective of this study was to develop a predictive model of moment arms and physiological cross-sectional areas of trunk musculature at multiple levels in the thoracic/lumbar spine as a function of anthropometric measures.
  
  
  
  Based on magnetic resonance imaging data from thirty subjects (10 male and 20 female) reported in a previous study, a polynomial regression analysis was conducted to estimate the muscle moment-arms and physiological cross-sectional areas of trunk muscles through thoracic/lumbar spine as a function of vertebral level, gender, age, height, and body mass.
  
  
  
  Gender, body mass, and height were the best predictors of muscle moment-arms and physiological cross-sectional areas. The predictability of muscle parameters tended to be higher for erector spinae than other muscles. Most muscles showed a curved muscle path along the thoracic/lumbar spine.
  
  
  
  The polynomial regression model of the muscle geometry in this study generally showed good predictability compared to previous reports. The predictive model in this study will be useful to develop personalized biomechanical models that incorporate curved trunk muscle geometries.
authors.affiliation: Biodynamics Laboratory, Spine Research Institute, Department of Integrated Systems Engineering, The Ohio State University, 210 Baker Systems Engineering, 1971 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. Electronic address: hwang.285@osu.edu.
authors.forename: Jaejin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Biodynamics Laboratory, Spine Research Institute, Department of Integrated Systems Engineering, The Ohio State University, 210 Baker Systems Engineering, 1971 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. Electronic address: dufour.8@osu.edu.
authors.forename: Jonathan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Dufour
authors.affiliation: Biodynamics Laboratory, Spine Research Institute, Department of Integrated Systems Engineering, The Ohio State University, 210 Baker Systems Engineering, 1971 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. Electronic address: knapik.1@osu.edu.
authors.forename: Gregory G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Knapik
authors.affiliation: Biodynamics Laboratory, Spine Research Institute, Department of Integrated Systems Engineering, The Ohio State University, 210 Baker Systems Engineering, 1971 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. Electronic address: Tom.Best@osumc.edu.
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Best
authors.affiliation: Biodynamics Laboratory, Spine Research Institute, Department of Integrated Systems Engineering, The Ohio State University, 210 Baker Systems Engineering, 1971 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. Electronic address: Safdar.Khan@osumc.edu.
authors.forename: Safdar N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Biodynamics Laboratory, Spine Research Institute, Department of Integrated Systems Engineering, The Ohio State University, 210 Baker Systems Engineering, 1971 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. Electronic address: Ehud.Mendel@osumc.edu.
authors.forename: Ehud
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mendel
authors.affiliation: Biodynamics Laboratory, Spine Research Institute, Department of Integrated Systems Engineering, The Ohio State University, 210 Baker Systems Engineering, 1971 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. Electronic address: marras.1@osu.edu.
authors.forename: William S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Marras
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000502:physiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D015233:Models, Statistical; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013909:Thorax / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Biomechanical model; Cross-sectional area; Moment-arm; Muscle geometry; Regression model; Spine