Table 1.

Mechanical loading regimes applied to the explanted IVDs. Day 0 was used as a reference for all other regimes; “static load” refers to the static mechanical loading regime, and “low-stress”, “intermediate-stress” as well as “high-stress” all refer to the complex dynamic mechanical loading regimes.

Regime	Description
Day 0		No load. Prepared for further analysis after two days of free swelling.
Static load		Basal pressure of 0.1 MPa.
Low-stress	Passive phase	Basal pressure of 0.1 MPa.
	Active phase	Active pressure of 0.2 MPa alternates with a torsion of ±2° at a frequency of 0.05 Hz and a basal pressure of 0.1 MPa.
Intermediate-stress	Passive phase	Basal pressure of 0.1 MPa.
	Active phase	Active pressure of 0.4 MPa alternates with a torsion of ±8° at a frequency of 0.05 Hz and a basal pressure of 0.1 MPa.
High-stress	Passive phase	Basal pressure of 0.1 MPa.
	Active phase	Active pressure of 0.6 MPa alternates with a torsion of ±15° at a frequency of 0.05 Hz and a basal pressure of 0.1 MPa.