Study on Lumbar Vertebrae Biomechanical Characteristics for Speed Skating Athlete Based on Finite Element Method

Objective: To establish the three-dimensional finite element model of lumbar motion segment (L4-L5) that considers material property and geometrical behave, to investigate mechanical characteristics of lumbar spinal motion segment for application of prevention and reduction of lumbar trauma for the speed skating athletes. Methods: three-dimensional finite element model (FEM) of the human lumbar spinal segments was established by using CT scanning technology and based on 3D interpolation method, and boundary conditions and loads were imposed on the model and finite element analysis was carried out. Results: The three-dimensional FEM of lumbar motion segment (L4-L5) was established. The volume of the model: 82941.13mm3, the surface area of the model: 19064.55mm2. The model consisted of the two vertebrae, one intervertebral disc and five pieces of ligament, the entire model comprised 56351 elements and 21643 nodes. Conclusion: When the speed skaters were skating, the stress on disc mainly concentrated on middle-anterior location of exterior annulus fibrosus, especially anterior location; equivalent stress on anterior location of vertebral body was higher than that of the nucleus pulposus, stress on adjacent vertebral endplate was significantly higher than other parts of the body, equivalent stress concentrates on the location, stress focused on up and down articular processes of facet joints and pedicle of vertebral arch.