Human motion modelling
Human motion analysis aims at gathering quantitative information about the mechanics and neural control strategies of the musculoskeletal system during the execution of a motor task. This information includes the movement of the skeleton described by the joint kinematics and the forces exerted by the individual musculotendon actuators.
This information is useful for determining and evaluating the treatment of gait pathologies, designing joint prostheses, improving ergonomics, and improving sport performances.
Direct measurement of joint kinematics and individual musculotendon forces is often not feasible. Therefore, these quantities are estimated based on experimentally measurable quantities including trajectories of skin-mounted markers and ground reaction forces, using a mathematical model of the musculoskeletal system.
Human motion analysis
The aim is to improve the accuracy of human motion analysis by developing enhanced algorithms for estimation of joint kinematics based on measured trajectories of skin-mounted markers and for the estimation of musculotendon forces based on joint kinematics and external forces.
Subject-specific neuro-musculoskeletal modelling
Human motion analysis is based on a model of the neuro-musculoskeletal system. It is common practice to use a generic model scaled to the dimensions of the test subject although it is known that this scaling does not account for the large inter subject differences. Furthermore, neural control mechanisms are not taken into account when calculating musculotendon forces. We therefore aim at developing procedures for subject-specific modelling focussing on three different aspects:
Determination of musculoskeletal geometry based on MR (magnetic resonance) images.
Development of a procedure for the estimation of the parameters of the musculotendon model based on the angle-torque relation measured using dynamometry.
Modelling of the neural control mechanisms underlying human gait.
People involved: Anke Van Campen, Friedl De Groote, Joris De Schutter
In collaboration with: Lode Bosmans, Karen Jansen, Jacques Duysens, Ilse Jonkers (Faculteit bewegings- en revalidatiewetenschappen)
