Estimation of lumbar load by 2D reconstruction of spine line using wearable sensor system

Anteflexion is essential for many physical activities ranging from carrying objects through snow shoveling to farm work. However, lumbago is a common cause of anteflexion, in which lumbar disks are under a heavy load due to changes in lumbar spine shape. With the aim to reduce lumbago risk, in this study we developed a motion sensor system that can estimate the shape, posture and load on the lumbar spine from measuring the lumbar in the lumbar region when the lumbar spine shape changes and the pelvis posture angle changes. We present a wearable version of this sensor system, and propose an estimation method of the lumbar shape using the pelvis posture angle and lumbar region skin curvature from this system. In addition, we measure the anteflexion using this system and study the change in load of the lumbar spine caused by changes in posture.