A generalized muscle model and its application to strength curves

Philip William Fink, Purdue University

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to develop and test a generalizable muscle model. A muscle model was developed that relied on only a few muscle-specific parameters which are found in the literature. To test the model, strength curves at the knee and elbow generated by the muscle model were compared to strength curves determined experimentally. After several modifications to the proposed model, including incorporating tendon length into the model and changing the length-tension and force-velocity relations, the elbow flexion and extension strength curves showed a good fit with the experimental strength curves. The fit was not as good for knee flexion and extension, although the results were good enough to demonstrate the model's potential. It was determined that more work had to be done, especially in finding better parameters to put into the model, to improve the model's accuracy.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Widule, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Physical education|Biophysics

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