Sex-Based Differences in Biomechanical Function for Chronic Low Back Pain and how it Relates to Pain Experience

Sex-Based Differences in Biomechanical Function for Chronic Low Back Pain and how it Relates to Pain Experience | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Sex-Based Differences in Biomechanical Function for Chronic Low Back Pain and how it Relates to Pain Experience Erin S. Archibeck, Irina Strigo, Aaron Scheffler, Abel Torres-Espin, and 10 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4391672/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This study examined sex-based differences in biomechanical function and pain experience of individuals with chronic low back pain (LBP). The significant variability in biomechanical function among patients with chronic LBP underscores the importance of developing a novel mathematical method to quantify full body movement, rather than relying on individual parameters from biomechanical analyses. This method was used to examine a patient-specific factor, biological sex, that may inform motion heterogeneity among LBP patients. The results highlighted significant biomechanical sex-based differences in patients with LBP during the sit-to-stand dynamic transition, which was largely driven by variations in trunk movement. Males showed increased biomechanical impairment compared to females, although there was no sex-based difference in total time. Further, measuring pressure pain threshold highlighted lower pain sensitivity in males compared to females. There was a weak but significant negative association between pressure pain thresholds and biomechanical function for males, while females lacked an association. Possible explanations include reduced interoceptive awareness or increased kinesiophobia in males, which may influence movement patterns. This research is an initial step in uncovering the complex relationship between patient-specific factors influencing LBP disability, laying the groundwork for further exploration, and paving the way for improving outcomes with patient-specific treatments. Physical sciences/Engineering/Mechanical engineering Health sciences/Medical research/Translational research Full Text Additional Declarations Competing interest reported. RPM receives royalties from the University of California Regents for technology disclosures related to depth cameras. JFB has stock options with Bioniks, Limited Liability Company. GDO has received compensation as a member of the scientific advisory board of AT Dev Inc. and owns stock in the company. All other authors do not have any competing interest to declare. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-4391672","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":317893619,"identity":"10066d5e-ce6a-440c-9eac-cf89182f5cce","order_by":0,"name":"Erin S. 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