Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Upper limb musculo-skeletal model for biomechanical investigation of elbow flexion movement

  • Published:
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University (Science) Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A biomechanical musculo-skeletal model of upper limb is presented in this paper, which can provide accurate representations of muscles and joints, and capture important interactions between joints. The upper limb model is made up of seven segments: ribs, sternum, clavicle, scapular, humerus, radius and ulna, considered as a single rigid body respectively and includes 22 muscles. The individual muscle forces can be calculated by using an electromyography (EMG) assisted method, which is verified by comparing the simulation results with other researches of an elbow flexion motion. These comparisons show that the muscle forces and the estimated joint moment match well with previous literatures.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Erdemir A, Mclean S, Herzog W, et al. Model-based estimation of muscle forces exerted during movements [J]. Clinical Biomechanics, 2007, 22(2): 131–154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. An K N, Kwak B M, Chao E Y, et al. Determination of muscle and joint forces: A new technique to solve the indeterminate problem [J]. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, 1984, 106(4): 364–367.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Pandy M G, Zajac F E, Sim E, et al. An optimal control model for maximum-height human jumping [J]. Journal of Biomechanics, 1990, 23(12): 1185–1198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Savelberg H H C M, Herzog W. Artificial neural networks used for the prediction of muscle forces from EMG-patterns [C]//Proceedings of the XVth Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics. Finland: [s. n.] 1995: 810–811.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Lloyd D G, Besier T F. An EMG-driven musculoskeletal model to estimate muscle forces and knee joint moments in vivo [J]. Journal of Biomechanics, 2003, 36(6): 765–776.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Feng J M A F T, Koo T K K. A surface EMG driven musculoskeletal model of the elbow flexion-extension movement in normal subjects and in subjects with spasticity [J]. Journal of Musculoskeletal Research, 1999, 3(2): 109–123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Koo T K K, Mak A F T. Feasibility of using EMG driven neuromusculoskeletal model for prediction of dynamic movement of the elbow [J]. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 2005, 15(1): 12–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Wang Cheng-tao. Mechanical virtual human of China [J]. Journal of Medical Biomechanics, 2006, 21(3): 172–178 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Maurel W, Thalmann D. A case study on human upper limb modelling for dynamic simulation [J]. Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, 1999, 2(1): 65–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Pennestri E, Stefanelli R, Valentini P P, et al. Virtual musculo-skeletal model for the biomechanical analysis of the upper limb [J]. Journal of Biomechanics, 2007, 40(6): 1350–1361.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Morrey B F, Chao E Y S. Passive motion of the elbow joint: A biomechanical analysis [J]. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery: Series A, 1976, 58(4): 501–508.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Chao E Y, Morrey B F. Three-dimensional rotation of the elbow [J]. Journal of Biomechanics, 1978, 11(1–2): 57–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Youm Y, Dryer R F, Thambyrajah K, et al. Biomechanical analyses of forearm pronation-supination and elbow flexion-extension [J]. Journal of Biomechanics, 1979, 12(4): 245–251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Hollister A M, Gellman H, Waters R L. The relationship of the interosseous membrane to the axis of rotation of the forearm [J]. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 1994, 298: 272–276.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Van Der Helm F C T, Veenbaas R. Modelling the mechanical effect of muscles with large attachment sites: Application to the shoulder mechanism [J]. Journal of Biomechanics, 1991, 24(12): 1151–1163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Epstein M, Hertzog W. Theoretical models of skeletal muscle [M]. England: John Wiley and Sons Press, 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Garner B A, Pandy M G. Estimation of musculotendon properties in the human upper limb [J]. Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 2003, 31(2): 207–220.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Zajac F E. Muscle and tendon: Properties, models, scaling, and application to biomechanics and motor control [J]. Critical Reviews in Biomedical Engineering, 1989, 17(4): 359–411.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Hermens H J F B, Merletti R. European recommendations for surface electromyography [M]. Netherlands: Roessingh Research and Development Press, 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Cutter N, Kevorkian C G. Handbook of manual muscle testing [M]. New York: McGraw-Hill Press, 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Raikova R. A model of the flexion-Extension motion in the elbow joint-Some problems concerning muscle forces modelling and computation [J]. Journal of Biomechanics, 1996, 29(6): 763–772.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Raikova R T, Aladjov H T. Hierarchical genetic algorithm versus static optimization-Investigation of elbow flexion and extension movements [J]. Journal of Biomechanics, 2002, 35(8): 1123–1135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shanghai Medical Instrumentation College, Shanghai, 200093, China

    Lin-lin Zhang  (张琳琳)

  2. School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200240, China

    Lin-lin Zhang  (张琳琳), Xi-an Zhang  (张希安) & Cheng-tao Wang  (王成焘)

  3. Department of Orthopedics, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China

    Jian Zhou  (周 健)

Authors
  1. Lin-lin Zhang  (张琳琳)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jian Zhou  (周 健)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xi-an Zhang  (张希安)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Cheng-tao Wang  (王成焘)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cheng-tao Wang  (王成焘).

Additional information

Foundation item: the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30530230)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zhang, Ll., Zhou, J., Zhang, Xa. et al. Upper limb musculo-skeletal model for biomechanical investigation of elbow flexion movement. J. Shanghai Jiaotong Univ. (Sci.) 16, 61–64 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12204-011-1095-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12204-011-1095-6

Key words

CLC number

Search

Navigation