Title: A review of occupationally-relevant models of localised muscle fatigue

Authors: Ehsan Rashedi; Maury A. Nussbaum

Addresses: Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, 250 Durham Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA ' Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, 250 Durham Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA

Abstract: Localised muscle fatigue (LMF) is a complex phenomenon that can differ between individuals, tasks, and muscles. Several muscle fatigue models (MFMs) have been developed in prior research. MFMs have potential practical value in ergonomics, given that LMF can impair performance, serve as a surrogate measure of injury risk, and may act as a causal factor for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Existing MFMs are reviewed here, and which are broadly classified as either 'empirical' or 'theoretical'. Two specific MFMs, considered most ergonomically-relevant, were directly compared and some important differences in predictions were found. Identifying such differences is suggested as a useful approach, both for developing testable hypotheses and in guiding subsequent model development or refinement. Other potential approaches for improving future MFMs are also discussed, including expansion of model structure to account for individual differences (e.g., age, gender, and obesity), task related parameters, and variability in motor unit composition.

Keywords: localised muscle fatigue; LMF; muscle fatigue models; modelling; performance; ergonomics; recovery; endurance; review; injury risk measurement; work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHFMS.2015.068119

International Journal of Human Factors Modelling and Simulation, 2015 Vol.5 No.1, pp.61 - 80

Received: 20 Nov 2013
Accepted: 24 Apr 2014

Published online: 18 Mar 2015 *

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