Article: Digital human model simulation of the movement variability induced by muscle fatigue during a repetitive pointing task until exhaustion Journal: International Journal of the Digital Human (IJDH) 2023 Vol.2 No.3 pp.197 - 222 Abstract: Movement variability is a fundamental feature of human movement. It occurs in all kinds of activity including workplace tasks. Despite its prevalence, workstation designers are hardly aware of it. Neglecting this variability may lead designers to ignore parts of the future operator's activity, thus leading to an incomplete assessment of their occupational risks. This article describes a model-based virtual human and its controller, intended to simulate the movement variability induced by muscle fatigue during a repetitive activity until exhaustion. It associates a multi-body dynamics framework and a three-compartment muscle fatigue model. When simulating a repetitive pointing task, our DHM reproduces some aspects of human movement variability. Improvements are still needed to account for intra- and inter-individual movement variability patterns recently highlighted in the literature. Yet, this approach raises interesting perspectives regarding new DHM features providing workstation designers with more comprehensive ergonomic assessments from the early stages of workstation design. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Digital human model simulation of the movement variability induced by muscle fatigue during a repetitive pointing task until exhaustion

Authors: Jonathan Savin; Clarisse Gaudez; Martine A. Gilles; Vincent Padois; Philippe Bidaud

Addresses: Work Equipment Engineering Division – INRS, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France ' Working Life Division – INRS, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France ' Working Life Division – INRS, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France ' AUCTUS – Inria, Talence, France ' ONERA, Palaiseau, France

Abstract: Movement variability is a fundamental feature of human movement. It occurs in all kinds of activity including workplace tasks. Despite its prevalence, workstation designers are hardly aware of it. Neglecting this variability may lead designers to ignore parts of the future operator's activity, thus leading to an incomplete assessment of their occupational risks. This article describes a model-based virtual human and its controller, intended to simulate the movement variability induced by muscle fatigue during a repetitive activity until exhaustion. It associates a multi-body dynamics framework and a three-compartment muscle fatigue model. When simulating a repetitive pointing task, our DHM reproduces some aspects of human movement variability. Improvements are still needed to account for intra- and inter-individual movement variability patterns recently highlighted in the literature. Yet, this approach raises interesting perspectives regarding new DHM features providing workstation designers with more comprehensive ergonomic assessments from the early stages of workstation design.

Keywords: movement variability; muscle fatigue; digital human model; DHM; simulation; repetitive pointing activity; ergonomics assessment; workstation design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJDH.2023.133027

International Journal of the Digital Human, 2023 Vol.2 No.3, pp.197 - 222

Received: 16 Nov 2021
Accepted: 11 Aug 2022
Published online: 25 Aug 2023 *

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Title: Digital human model simulation of the movement variability induced by muscle fatigue during a repetitive pointing task until exhaustion

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