"And they were not able to arise" [51:45], al-Suddi's interpretation is: they were unable to stand up to the punishment. "Nor were they able to defend themselves" [51:45], meaning they could not resist.
Interpretation of Surat al-Dhariyat from verse 46 to verse 53.
﴿فَمَا اسْتَطَاعُوا من قيام﴾ تَفْسِير السُّدي: فَمَا أطاقوا أَن يقومُوا للعذاب ﴿وَمَا كَانُوا مُنْتَصِرِينَ﴾ ممتنعين.
تَفْسِير سُورَة الذاريات من الْآيَة ٤٦ إِلَى الْآيَة ٥٣.
