Title: Challenges in the determination of strength parameters for simulation models of human movements

Authors: Pui Wah Kong

Addresses: Department of Kinesiology, University of Texas at El Paso, 1101 N. Campbell Street, El Paso, TX 79902, USA

Abstract: This study presents a method for determining in vivo strength parameters for the simulation models of human movements. Peak isometric, concentric and eccentric knee extensor torques of a male participant were measured on an isovelocity dynamometer. Torque-velocity and torque-angle relationships were determined using either dynamometer data alone or together with synchronised kinematic data obtained from video recordings. This was to investigate the feasibility of developing a simple method which required minimal equipment and data processing time. Results show that joint torque parameters determined from simple methods are not sufficiently accurate and therefore are not recommended to determine parameters for simulation models of human movements.

Keywords: model parameters; simulation modelling; human movements; biomechanics; dynamometers; motion analysis; joint torque; torque-velocity; torque-angle; strength parameters; knee extensor torques; kinematics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMIC.2007.014936

International Journal of Modelling, Identification and Control, 2007 Vol.2 No.3, pp.180 - 187

Published online: 20 Aug 2007 *

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