Abstract
Objective. This study aimed at estimating the musculotendon parameters of the prime elbow flexors
in vivo for both normal and hemiparetic subjects.
Design. A neuromusculoskeletal model of the elbow joint was developed incorporating detailed
musculotendon modeling and geometrical modeling.
Background. Neuromusculoskeletal modeling is a valuable tool in orthopedic biomechanics and
motor control research. However, its reliability depends on reasonable estimation
of the musculotendon parameters. Parameter estimation is one of the most challenging
aspects of neuromusculoskeletal modeling.
Methods. Five normal and five hemiparetic subjects performed maximum isometric voluntary
flexion at nine elbow positions (0°–120° of flexion with an increment of 15°). Maximum
flexion torques were measured at each position. Computational optimization was used
to search for the musculotendon parameters of four prime elbow flexors by minimizing
the root mean square difference between the predicted and the experimentally measured
torque-angle curves.
Results. The normal group seemed to have larger maximum muscle stress values as compared
to the hemiparetic group. Although the functional ranges of each selected muscle were
different, they were all located at the ascending limb of the force–length relationship.
The muscle optimal lengths and tendon slack lengths found in this study were comparable
to other cadaver studies reported in the literature.
Conclusion. Subject-specific musculotendon parameters could be properly estimated in vivo.Relevance
Estimation of subject-specific musculotendon parameters for both normal and hemiparetic
subjects would help clinicians better understand some of the effects of this pathological
condition on the musculoskeletal system.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
April 17,
2002
Received:
October 23,
2001
Identification
Copyright
© 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
