Inter-cycle loading variation influences cumulative compression tolerance in porcine cervical spine units: an in vitro study

This study examined the effect of inter-cycle loading variation on cumulative tolerance in isolated spinal units. An in vitro paradigm was used to compare custom sinusoidal waveforms (i.e., consistent vs. variable amplitude) constructed with control between specimens for an equal average peak amplitude and total cumulative load. Spinal units exposed to variable loading tolerated significantly fewer loading-unloading cycles and a reduction in cumulative load was observed. Together, these findings have implications for the quantification of loading exposure and injury potential.