Muscle force–stiffness characteristics influence joint stability: A spine example

Background The muscle force–stiffness relationship has often been modeled as linear, while in situ muscle research has clearly demonstrated non-linearity. Estimation of rotational joint stability relies on both a muscle’s instantaneous pre-perturbation force and stiffness. Under conditions of static equilibrium, a muscle’s stiffness will function in a stabilizing manner, while its force can function in either a stabilizing or destabilizing manner depending on the muscle’s orientation about the joint. Methods A single muscle (rectus abdominis) was modeled and its individual direct stabilizing potential about the L4–L5 spine joint was analyzed. Three force–stiffness relationships were examined: (1) linear; (2) non-linear with moderate stiffness magnitudes; (3) non-linear with higher stiffness magnitudes. Findings With a linear force–stiffness relationship, stability increased proportional to muscle force; with a non-linear relationship, stability peaked and subsequently decreased at submaximal muscle forces. When considering the lower, as opposed to the higher non-linear stiffness magnitudes, the stabilizing potential of the muscle peaked at a lower muscle force level and actually became negative (destabilizing) at a critical stiffness magnitude. Interpretation It was concluded that a non-linear muscle force–stiffness relationship greatly alters the individual stabilizing potential of the muscle throughout its progression of force development. A muscle’s stabilizing contribution may actually peak at and subsequently decrease above a critical submaximal force level. Incorporating this knowledge into stability models may assist in recognizing unstable events that lead to injury at higher levels of muscle activation.