Neuromusculoskeletal Modeling: Estimation of Muscle Forces and Joint Moments and Movements from Measurements of Neural Command

TLDR

The aim of such models is to estimate or predict muscle forces, joint moments, and/or joint kinematics from neural signals. This paper provides an overview of forward dynamic neuromusculoskeletal modeling, focusing on the first two steps—muscle activation and contraction dynamics—which are most challenging to biomechanicians. The modeling framework consists of four steps: (1) neural signals are converted to muscle activation levels via activation dynamics; (2) activation levels are mapped to muscle forces through contraction dynamics; (3) muscle forces are translated into joint moments using a musculoskeletal geometry model; and (4) joint moments drive joint movements via the equations of motion. The process involves complex nonlinear relationships, and the paper illustrates it with applications to predicting isometric elbow moments and dynamic knee kinetics.

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of forward dynamic neuromusculoskeletal modeling. The aim of such models is to estimate or predict muscle forces, joint moments, and/or joint kinematics from neural signals. This is a four-step process. In the first step, muscle activation dynamics govern the transformation from the neural signal to a measure of muscle activation-a time varying parameter between 0 and 1. In the second step, muscle contraction dynamics characterize how muscle activations are transformed into muscle forces. The third step requires a model of the musculoskeletal geometry to transform muscle forces to joint moments. Finally, the equations of motion allow joint moments to be transformed into joint movements. Each step involves complex nonlinear relationships. The focus of this paper is on the details involved in the first two steps, since these are the most challenging to the biomechanician. The global process is then explained through applications to the study of predicting isometric elbow moments and dynamic knee kinetics.