Development of Three-Dimensional Musculoskeletal Model for Various Motion Analyses

Abstract

In order to calculate the mechanical load on living tissues from measured kinesiological data, the human musculoskeletal system was modeled three-dimensionally by nineteen rigid segments and one hundred fifty -six muscles. The length, mass, and moment of inertia of each segment can be adjusted according to the subject's stature and weight. The muscle model includes several physiological elements that consume mechanical energy. The component ratio of muscle fibers can be changed arbitrarily. The proposed musculoskeletal model can be modified easily to a system with fewer segments or a two-dimensional system to suit the purpose of analysis. This flexibility increases the applications of the method to various motion analyses. As examples, we analyzed three-dimensional bipedal walking by a model without upper extremities, and rowing motion of whole body segments.