Muscle Synergies Modify Optimization Estimates of Joint Stiffness During Walking

2019 ◽  
Vol 142 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad S. Shourijeh ◽  
Benjamin J. Fregly
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Joint Stiffness ◽  
The Body ◽  
Grand Challenge ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Inverse Dynamic ◽  
Co Activation ◽  
Muscle Activations ◽  
The Cost

Abstract Because of its simplicity, static optimization (SO) is frequently used to resolve the muscle redundancy problem (i.e., more muscles than degrees-of-freedom (DOF) in the human musculoskeletal system). However, SO minimizes antagonistic co-activation and likely joint stiffness as well, which may not be physiologically realistic since the body modulates joint stiffness during movements such as walking. Knowledge of joint stiffness is limited due to the difficulty of measuring it experimentally, leading researchers to estimate it using computational models. This study explores how imposing a synergy structure on the muscle activations estimated by optimization (termed “synergy optimization,” or SynO) affects calculated lower body joint stiffnesses during walking. By limiting the achievable muscle activations and coupling all time frames together, a synergy structure provides a potential mechanism for reducing indeterminacy and improving physiological co-activation but at the cost of a larger optimization problem. To compare joint stiffnesses produced by SynO (2–6 synergies) and SO, we used both approaches to estimate lower body muscle activations and forces for sample experimental overground walking data obtained from the first knee grand challenge competition. Both optimizations used a custom Hill-type muscle model that permitted analytic calculation of individual muscle contributions to the stiffness of spanned joints. Both approaches reproduced inverse dynamic joint moments well over the entire gait cycle, though SynO with only two synergies exhibited the largest errors. Maximum and mean joint stiffnesses for hip and knee flexion in particular decreased as the number of synergies increased from 2 to 6, with SO producing the lowest joint stiffness values. Our results suggest that SynO increases joint stiffness by increasing muscle co-activation, and furthermore, that walking with a reduced number of synergies may result in increased joint stiffness and perhaps stability.

scholarly journals Jumping in frogs: assessing the design of the skeletal system by anatomically realistic modeling and forward dynamic simulation

2002 ◽  
Vol 205 (12) ◽  
pp. 1683-1702 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Kargo ◽  
Frank Nelson ◽  
Lawrence C. Rome
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
The Body ◽  
Joint Torque ◽  
Rotational Degree ◽  
Skeletal System ◽  
Dynamic Simulations ◽  
Inverse Dynamic ◽  
Maximal Distance ◽  
Out Of Plane ◽  
Rotational Degrees Of Freedom

SUMMARY Comparative musculoskeletal modeling represents a tool to understand better how motor system parameters are fine-tuned for specific behaviors. Frog jumping is a behavior in which the physical properties of the body and musculotendon actuators may have evolved specifically to extend the limits of performance. Little is known about how the joints of the frog contribute to and limit jumping performance. To address these issues, we developed a skeletal model of the frog Rana pipiens that contained realistic bones, joints and body-segment properties. We performed forward dynamic simulations of jumping to determine the minimal number of joint degrees of freedom required to produce maximal-distance jumps and to produce jumps of varied take-off angles. The forward dynamics of the models was driven with joint torque patterns determined from inverse dynamic analysis of jumping in experimental frogs. When the joints were constrained to rotate in the extension—flexion plane, the simulations produced short jumps with a fixed angle of take-off. We found that, to produce maximal-distance jumping,the skeletal system of the frog must minimally include a gimbal joint at the hip (three rotational degrees of freedom), a universal Hooke's joint at the knee (two rotational degrees of freedom) and pin joints at the ankle,tarsometatarsal, metatarsophalangeal and iliosacral joints (one rotational degree of freedom). One of the knee degrees of freedom represented a unique kinematic mechanism (internal rotation about the long axis of the tibiofibula)and played a crucial role in bringing the feet under the body so that maximal jump distances could be attained. Finally, the out-of-plane degrees of freedom were found to be essential to enable the frog to alter the angle of take-off and thereby permit flexible neuromotor control. The results of this study form a foundation upon which additional model subsystems (e.g. musculotendon and neural) can be added to test the integrative action of the neuromusculoskeletal system during frog jumping.

Semiactive Control of Multiple Degree of Freedom Systems

1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehdi Ahmadian
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Hybrid Control ◽  
Control Policy ◽  
The Body ◽  
Semiactive Control ◽  
Dynamic Simulations ◽  
Passive Dampers ◽  
Suspension Model ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Resonance Control

Abstract Semiactive control of systems with multiple degrees of freedom is addressed. Two systems representing a pitch-plane model of a vehicle and a single suspension are used to illustrate the results. The dynamic simulations show the well-known compromise between resonance control and isolation, due to passive dampers. It is shown that semiactive dampers also compromise between controlling different bodies. For skyhook and groundhook control policies, the control of one body is achieved at the cost of less control on the other bodies. For instance, in a single suspension model, skyhook semiactive dampers better control the body resonance, but significantly increase the axle resonance (wheelhop). The groundhook dampers provide a better control of wheelhop at the expense of increasing body resonance. A hybrid control policy that combines the effect of skyhook and groundhook policies is introduced. This policy can be used to provide the proper control on all bodies, while using the hardware common to existing semiactive dampers.

scholarly journals STUDY OF THE INFLUENCE OF GEOTEXTILE MATERIALS DURING CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS

2021 ◽  
pp. 112-121
Author(s):  
H.V. Slobodianyk ◽  
◽  
K.Z. Shokot ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Bearing Capacity ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Resistance Coefficient ◽  
The Body ◽  
Soil Reinforcement ◽  
Vertical Movements ◽  
The Road ◽  
The Cost

One of the real and promising ways to expand the range and types of structures for strengthening the slopes of embankments and dams is the use of geotextile materials. In the structures under consideration, they can perform protective, filtering, separating, reinforcing functions and moreover they improve the working conditions of the soil and layers of road pavements on the sides of the road and in the slope parts, increasing their stability. The use of geotextiles makes it possible to develop technically and economically effective design solutions. As the analysis of literature data has shown, soil reinforcement is an effective method for increasing the bearing capacity of foundations at a relatively low cost. Therefore, research, both theoretical and experimental, the development and creation of computational models taking into account the influence of reinforcing elements is an urgent problem. The paper considers the stress-strain state of a bulk dam without and with two options for the location of geotextiles. On the basis of the carried out numerical modeling, it is shown how when using geotextiles, the bearing capacity of a structure increases, while the volume of materials decreases. At the second stage, on the basis of the calculations, the optimal variant of the location of the geotextile material in the body of the structure was selected with the best technical and economic indicators. The research results show that when reinforcing the embankment with open clips in two rows – in the upper and lower parts-the smallest horizontal and vertical movements are obtained at almost the same total stresses. At the same time, the required value of the resistance coefficient is achieved, and the volume of soil is reduced. Thus, it can be concluded that the use of geotextile materials can reduce the cost of basic building materials while increasing operational characteristics and extending the service life of the structure.

scholarly journals Improving Inverse Dynamics Accuracy in a Planar Walking Model Based on Stable Reference Point

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Alaa Abdulrahman ◽  
Kamran Iqbal ◽  
Gannon White
Keyword(s):  
Human Body ◽  
Reference Point ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Inverse Dynamics ◽  
Equations Of Motion ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
The Body ◽  
Sensor Position ◽  
Reaction Forces ◽  
The Cost

Physiologically and biomechanically, the human body represents a complicated system with an abundance of degrees of freedom (DOF). When developing mathematical representations of the body, a researcher has to decide on how many of those DOF to include in the model. Though accuracy can be enhanced at the cost of complexity by including more DOF, their necessity must be rigorously examined. In this study a planar seven-segment human body walking model with single DOF joints was developed. A reference point was added to the model to track the body’s global position while moving. Due to the kinematic instability of the pelvis, the top of the head was selected as the reference point, which also assimilates the vestibular sensor position. Inverse dynamics methods were used to formulate and solve the equations of motion based on Newton-Euler formulae. The torques and ground reaction forces generated by the planar model during a regular gait cycle were compared with similar results from a more complex three-dimensional OpenSim model with muscles, which resulted in correlation errors in the range of 0.9–0.98. The close comparison between the two torque outputs supports the use of planar models in gait studies.

Complete Solution Sets for Neuromuscular Models Reveal How Mechanical Constraints Limit Neural Control Options

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason J. Kutch ◽  
Francisco J. Valero-Cuevas
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Neural Control ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Complete Solution ◽  
The Body ◽  
Joint Torques ◽  
Mechanical Constraints ◽  
Geometric Methods ◽  
Muscle Activations ◽  
Fingertip Forces

One of the main goals of neuromuscular modeling is to establish the range of feasible muscle activations for a given mechanical output of the body. This is not a trivial problem because there are typically infinitely many combinations of muscle activations that will generate the same joint torques, as most joints are actuated by more muscles than rotational degrees of freedom. Here we show that well-established geometric methods easily provide a complete description of the set of muscle activations that generate a desired set of joint torques or endpoint forces. In contrast to iterative linear programming optimizations, geometric methods provide a set of solutions in muscle activation space simply by converting between the geometric representations of neural and mechanical constraints. As an example, we use geometric methods to find the feasible set of activations that produce fingertip forces in a set of directions. These results show that for a given set of fingertip forces, the range of feasible activation for each muscle can differ with the choice of mechanical constraints. Thus, the mechanical constraints of the task play an important role governing the options the nervous system has when controlling redundant muscles.

Representing utility and deploying the body

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Spurrett
Keyword(s):  
Functional Activity ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
The Body ◽  
Target Article ◽  
Processing Demands ◽  
The Many

Abstract Comprehensive accounts of resource-rational attempts to maximise utility shouldn't ignore the demands of constructing utility representations. This can be onerous when, as in humans, there are many rewarding modalities. Another thing best not ignored is the processing demands of making functional activity out of the many degrees of freedom of a body. The target article is almost silent on both.

scholarly journals Power Failure of Mitochondria and Oxidative Stress in Neurodegeneration and Its Computational Models

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 229
Author(s):  
JunHyuk Woo ◽  
Hyesun Cho ◽  
YunHee Seol ◽  
Soon Ho Kim ◽  
Chanhyeok Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Mitochondrial Dysfunction ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Neuronal Damage ◽  
Living Organism ◽  
The Body ◽  
Mitochondrial Functions ◽  
A Cell ◽  
The Brain ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

The brain needs more energy than other organs in the body. Mitochondria are the generator of vital power in the living organism. Not only do mitochondria sense signals from the outside of a cell, but they also orchestrate the cascade of subcellular events by supplying adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP), the biochemical energy. It is known that impaired mitochondrial function and oxidative stress contribute or lead to neuronal damage and degeneration of the brain. This mini-review focuses on addressing how mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are associated with the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. In addition, we discuss state-of-the-art computational models of mitochondrial functions in relation to oxidative stress and neurodegeneration. Together, a better understanding of brain disease-specific mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress can pave the way to developing antioxidant therapeutic strategies to ameliorate neuronal activity and prevent neurodegeneration.

scholarly journals Computational Modeling of Vortex Generators for Turbomachinery

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. V. Chima
Keyword(s):  
Computational Models ◽  
Body Force ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
The Body ◽  
Vortex Generators ◽  
Force Model ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Compressor Rotor ◽  
Surface Particle

In this work computational models were developed and used to investigate applications of vortex generators (VGs) to turbomachinery. The work was aimed at increasing the efficiency of compressor components designed for the NASA Ultra Efficient Engine Technology (UEET) program. Initial calculations were used to investigate the physical behavior of VGs. A parametric study of the effects of VG height was done using 3-D calculations of isolated VGs. A body force model was developed to simulate the effects of VGs without requiring complicated grids. The model was calibrated using 2-D calculations of the VG vanes and was validated using the 3-D results. Then three applications of VGs to a compressor rotor and stator were investigated: 1. The results of the 3-D calculations were used to simulate the use of small casing VGs used to generate rotor preswirl or counterswirl. Computed performance maps were used to evaluate the effects of VGs. 2. The body force model was used to simulate large partspan splitters on the casing ahead of the stator. Computed loss buckets showed the effects of the VGs. 3. The body force model was also used to investigate the use of tiny VGs on the stator suction surface for controlling secondary flows. Near-surface particle traces and exit loss profiles were used to evaluate the effects of the VGs.

Loading comparison of two structures in the moving tube of a non-invasive prosthesis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Ping Ye ◽  
Lizheng Zhang ◽  
Hongliu Wu ◽  
Tianxi Chi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Normal Growth ◽  
Limb Length Discrepancy ◽  
The Body ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Testing Method ◽  
Finite Element Analysis Simulation

BACKGROUND: The treatment of adolescent patients with distal femoral cancer has always been a concern. The limb-salvage, regarded as a mainstream treatment, had been developed in recent years, but its application in children still remains challenging. This is because it can lead to potential limb-length discrepancy from the continued normal growth of the contralateral lower body. The extendable prosthesis could solve this problem. The principle is that it can artificially control the length of the prosthesis, making it consistent with the length of the side of the lower limbs. However, this prosthesis has some complications. The extendable prosthesis is classified into invasive and minimally invasive, which extends the prosthesis with each operation. OBJECTIVE: We designed a new non-invasive prosthesis that can be extended in the body. Based on the non-invasive and extendable characteristics, we need to verify the supporting performance of this prosthesis. METHODS: We carried out a mechanical testing method and finite element analysis simulation. CONCLUSION: The support performance and non-invasively extension of this prosthesis were verified.

Dynamic Modeling of a High-Dynamic Flight Simulator

2014 ◽  
Vol 687-691 ◽  
pp. 610-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Liu ◽  
Li Wen Guan
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Modeling ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Flight Simulator ◽  
Inverse Dynamic ◽  
Dynamic Formulation ◽  
Time Histories ◽  
Rotational Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
High Dynamic ◽  
Euler Approach ◽  
Simulation Results

High-dynamic flight simulator (HDFS), using a centrifuge as its motion base, is a machine utilized for simulating the acceleration environment associated with modern advanced tactical aircrafts. This paper models the HDFS as a robotic system with three rotational degrees of freedom. The forward and inverse dynamic formulations are carried out by the recursive Newton-Euler approach. The driving torques acting on the joints are determined on the basis of the inverse dynamic formulation. The formulation has been implemented in two numerical simulation examples, which are used for calculating the maximum torques of actuators and simulating the time-histories of kinematic and dynamic parameters of pure trapezoid Gz-load command profiles, respectively. The simulation results can be applied to the design of the control system. The dynamic modeling approach presented in this paper can also be generalized to some similar devices.

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