Improving Net Joint Torque Calculations Through a Two-Step Optimization Method for Estimating Body Segment Parameters

2008 ◽  
Vol 131 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raziel Riemer ◽  
Elizabeth T. Hsiao-Wecksler

Two main sources of error in inverse dynamics based calculations of net joint torques are inaccuracies in segmental motions and estimates of anthropometric body segment parameters (BSPs). Methods for estimating BSP (i.e., segmental moment of inertia, mass, and center of mass location) have been previously proposed; however, these methods are limited due to low accuracies, cumbersome use, need for expensive medical equipment, and∕or sensitivity of performance. This paper proposes a method for improving the accuracy of calculated net joint torques by optimizing for subject-specific BSP in the presence of characteristic and random errors in motion data measurements. A two-step optimization approach based on solving constrained nonlinear optimization problems was used. This approach minimized the differences between known ground reaction forces (GRFs), such as those measured by a force plate, and the GRF calculated via a top-down inverse dynamics approach. In step 1, a series of short calibration motions was used to compute first approximations of optimized segment motions and BSP for each motion. In step 2, refined optimal BSPs were derived from a combination of these motion profiles. We assessed the efficacy of this approach using a set of reference motions in which the true values for the BSP, segment motion, GRF, and net joint torques were known. To imitate real-world data, we introduced various noise conditions on the true motion and BSP data. We compared the root mean squared errors in calculated net joint torques relative to the true values due to the optimal BSP versus traditionally-derived BSP (from anthropometric tables derived from regression equations) and found that the optimized BSP reduced the error by 77%. These results suggest that errors in calculated net joint torques due to traditionally-derived BSP estimates could be reduced substantially using this optimization approach.

2011 ◽  
Vol 133 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Davide Piovesan ◽  
Alberto Pierobon ◽  
Paul DiZio ◽  
James R. Lackner

A common problem in the analyses of upper limb unfettered reaching movements is the estimation of joint torques using inverse dynamics. The inaccuracy in the estimation of joint torques can be caused by the inaccuracy in the acquisition of kinematic variables, body segment parameters (BSPs), and approximation in the biomechanical models. The effect of uncertainty in the estimation of body segment parameters can be especially important in the analysis of movements with high acceleration. A sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the relevance of different sources of inaccuracy in inverse dynamics analysis of a planar arm movement. Eight regression models and one water immersion method for the estimation of BSPs were used to quantify the influence of inertial models on the calculation of joint torques during numerical analysis of unfettered forward arm reaching movements. Thirteen subjects performed 72 forward planar reaches between two targets located on the horizontal plane and aligned with the median plane. Using a planar, double link model for the arm with a floating shoulder, we calculated the normalized joint torque peak and a normalized root mean square (rms) of torque at the shoulder and elbow joints. Statistical analyses quantified the influence of different BSP models on the kinetic variable variance for given uncertainty on the estimation of joint kinematics and biomechanical modeling errors. Our analysis revealed that the choice of BSP estimation method had a particular influence on the normalized rms of joint torques. Moreover, the normalization of kinetic variables to BSPs for a comparison among subjects showed that the interaction between the BSP estimation method and the subject specific somatotype and movement kinematics was a significant source of variance in the kinetic variables. The normalized joint torque peak and the normalized root mean square of joint torque represented valuable parameters to compare the effect of BSP estimation methods on the variance in the population of kinetic variables calculated across a group of subjects with different body types. We found that the variance of the arm segment parameter estimation had more influence on the calculated joint torques than the variance of the kinematics variables. This is due to the low moments of inertia of the upper limb, especially when compared with the leg. Therefore, the results of the inverse dynamics of arm movements are influenced by the choice of BSP estimation method to a greater extent than the results of gait analysis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yujiang Xiang ◽  
Shadman Tahmid ◽  
Paul Owens ◽  
James Yang

Abstract Box delivery is a complicated task and it is challenging to predict the box delivery motion associated with the box weight, delivering speed, and location. This paper presents a single task-based inverse dynamics optimization method for determining the planar symmetric optimal box delivery motion (multi-task jobs). The design variables are cubic B-spline control points of joint angle profiles. The objective function is dynamic effort, i.e., the time integral of the square of all normalized joint torques. The optimization problem includes various constraints. Joint angle profiles are validated through experimental results using root-mean-square-error (RMSE) and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. This research provides a practical guidance to prevent injury risks in joint torque space for workers who lift and deliver heavy objects in their daily jobs.


2013 ◽  
Vol 378 ◽  
pp. 382-386
Author(s):  
Hai Bin Liu ◽  
Zhi Qiang He ◽  
Wen Xue Yuan ◽  
Zhao Li Meng

Objective: Research on ankle joint torques of healthy women with high heel compared with bare foot based on Inverse Dynamics. Methods: 12 women were recruited and tested by motion and force system. Kinematical, kinetic and personal segment parameter data were used to compute ankle joint torques and compare the differences between bare foot and high heel.Conclusion: compared with bare foot, It can infer that Soleus and Gastrocnemius access the contraction in advance and keep higher muscle force. Tibia Anterior and Posterior must have to make powerful contraction that could keep the ankle joint with higher torque. Compared with sagital and frontal plane, high heel doesnt change the joint torque in horizontal plane during the whole internal phase, but the fluctuations of torque value may influence the stability during normal level walking.


2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Violaine Sevrez ◽  
Guillaume Rao ◽  
Eric Berton ◽  
Reinoud J. Bootsma

Five elite gymnasts performed giant circles on the high bar under different conditions of loading (without and with 6-kg loads attached to the shoulders, waist or ankles). Comparing the gymnasts’ kinematic pattern of movement with that of a triple-pendulum moving under the sole influence of nonmuscular forces revealed qualitative similarities, including the adoption of an arched position during the downswing and a piked position during the upswing. The structuring role of nonmuscular forces in the organization of movement was further reinforced by the results of an inverse dynamics analysis, assessing the contributions of gravitational, inertial and muscular components to the net joint torques. Adding loads at the level of the shoulders, waist or ankles systematically influenced movement kinematics and net joint torques. However, with the loads attached at the level of the shoulders or waist, the load-induced changes in gravitational and inertial torques provided the required increase in net joint torque, thereby allowing the muscular torques to remain unchanged. With the loads attached at the level of the ankles, this was no longer the case and the gymnasts increased the muscular torques at the shoulder and hip joints. Together, these results demonstrate that expert gymnasts skillfully exploit the operative nonmuscular forces, employing muscle force only in the capacity of complementary forces needed to perform the task.


2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph E. Langenderfer ◽  
Peter J. Laz ◽  
Anthony J. Petrella ◽  
Paul J. Rullkoetter

Inverse dynamics is a standard approach for estimating joint loadings in the lower extremity from kinematic and ground reaction data for use in clinical and research gait studies. Variability in estimating body segment parameters and uncertainty in defining anatomical landmarks have the potential to impact predicted joint loading. This study demonstrates the application of efficient probabilistic methods to quantify the effect of uncertainty in these parameters and landmarks on joint loading in an inverse-dynamics model, and identifies the relative importance of the parameters and landmarks to the predicted joint loading. The inverse-dynamics analysis used a benchmark data set of lower-extremity kinematics and ground reaction data during the stance phase of gait to predict the three-dimensional intersegmental forces and moments. The probabilistic analysis predicted the 1–99 percentile ranges of intersegmental forces and moments at the hip, knee, and ankle. Variabilities, in forces and moments of up to 56% and 156% of the mean values were predicted based on coefficients of variation less than 0.20 for the body segment parameters and standard deviations of 2mm for the anatomical landmarks. Sensitivity factors identified the important parameters for the specific joint and component directions. Anatomical landmarks affected moments to a larger extent than body segment parameters. Additionally, for forces, anatomical landmarks had a larger effect than body segment parameters, with the exception of segment masses, which were important to the proximal-distal joint forces. The probabilistic modeling approach predicted the range of possible joint loading, which has implications in gait studies, clinical assessments, and implant design evaluations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 210836
Author(s):  
Samuel J. Coatham ◽  
William I. Sellers ◽  
Thomas A. Püschel

Obtaining accurate values for body segment parameters (BSPs) is fundamental in many biomechanical studies, particularly for gait analysis. Convex hulling, where the smallest-possible convex object that surrounds a set of points is calculated, has been suggested as an effective and time-efficient method to estimate these parameters in extinct animals, where soft tissues are rarely preserved. We investigated the effectiveness of convex hull BSP estimation in a range of extant mammals, to inform the potential future usage of this technique with extinct taxa. Computed tomography scans of both the skeleton and skin of every species investigated were virtually segmented. BSPs (the mass, position of the centre of mass and inertial tensors of each segment) were calculated from the resultant soft tissue segments, while the bone segments were used as the basis for convex hull reconstructions. We performed phylogenetic generalized least squares and ordinary least squares regressions to compare the BSPs calculated from soft tissue segments with those estimated using convex hulls, finding consistent predictive relationships for each body segment. The resultant regression equations can, therefore, be used with confidence in future volumetric reconstruction and biomechanical analyses of mammals, in both extinct and extant species where such data may not be available.


Author(s):  
Alison L. Sheets ◽  
Stefano Corazza ◽  
Thomas Andriacchi

Recent studies have suggested that limb kinetics during swing or float phase movements are important for ACL injury analysis and injury prevention [1]. Kinetic (moment and force) calculations during swing phase can be sensitive to the accuracy of subject-specific body segment parameters (BSP) including mass and inertial properties. While numerous methods for estimating BSP have been implemented including regression equations [2,3], geometric body shape estimations, medical imaging and optimization approaches, they all have application specific limitations. Almost all of these BSP estimation approaches are limited by assumptions that: the mass center (CM) lies on the axis connecting the segment’s proximal and distal joint center, the body principle moments of inertia are aligned with the segment axes [4], and the right and left limbs are symmetric. These assumptions could introduce errors in 3D kinematic analysis. Non-invasive methods of measuring the exact geometry and volume of body segments have the potential to reduce most sources of error.


2012 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. S241
Author(s):  
Mariska Wesseling ◽  
Friedl De Groote ◽  
Christophe Meyer ◽  
Ilse Jonkers

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 563-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoichi Iino ◽  
Atsushi Fukushima ◽  
Takeji Kojima

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relevance of hip joint angles to the production of the pelvic rotation torque in fast-pitch softball hitting and to examine the effect of ball height on this production. Thirteen advanced female softball players hit stationary balls at three different heights: high, middle, and low. The pelvic rotation torque, defined as the torque acting on the pelvis through the hip joints about the pelvic superior–inferior axis, was determined from the kinematic and force plate data using inverse dynamics. Irrespective of the ball heights, the rear hip extension, rear hip external rotation, front hip adduction, and front hip flexion torques contributed to the production of pelvic rotation torque. Although the contributions of the adduction and external rotation torques at each hip joint were significantly different among the ball heights, the contributions of the front and rear hip joint torques were similar among the three ball heights owing to cancelation of the two torque components. The timings of the peaks of the hip joint torque components were significantly different, suggesting that softball hitters may need to adjust the timings of the torque exertions fairly precisely to rotate the upper body effectively.


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