Abstract
Fresh lumbar vertebral columns from nine male subjects aged from six to 71 years were tested for creep deformation and hysteresis. The standard test applied a load of 3.5 kg for one hour through a weight and pulley circuit. Additional tests used 1 kg and 5.5 kg for varying periods of time. The four oldest columns showed a pronounced decrease in the range of flexion movement but a consistent increase in the flexion creep deformation. Hysteresis recovery on load removal was more prolonged and less complete in the older lumbar columns than in the young.

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