Towards an integrated high-fidelity linkage representation of the human skeletal system based on surface measurement [An article from: International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics] Review
This digital document is a journal article from International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, published by Elsevier in 2004. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Description:
A linkage system remains to be the most commonplace framework for defining body segment lengths and conveying the anthropometrics in ergonomic design or biomechanical modeling. Misconceived or over-simplified linkage representations are however not rare in literature or practice. This article advocates an integrated high-fidelity linkage representation of the human skeletal system for anthropometric data acquisition and application, and describes some initial experimental and computational work in developing such a representation. Criteria for an optimal linkage representation are proposed, and the research voids in that context are identified. Three computational procedures for deriving joint centers of the upper arm (elbow and shoulder), individual finger segments, and individual vertebras are then presented-three body structural units for which conventional derivation methods are inapplicable. Databases as testbeds were established in two experiments involving load lifting and handle grasping movements performed by two groups of subjects (n=12 and 24, respectively) and measured by an opto-electronic marker-based system. Selected results include comparisons in time-variance between the marker-defined surface link length and internal link length, and derived joint center location variables, synthesized and visualized in various ways. Insights from and limitations of the current study are discussed, along with the foreseen challenges associated with developing an integrated high-fidelity linkage representation. Relevance to industry: A high-fidelity linkage representation is an integral part of realistic biomechanical modeling of the human musculoskeletal system. It is also the basis for more accurate biomechanical analyses of the physical stress and injury risk associated with the performance of various industrial tasks. The techniques of determining segmental center of rotation can lead to useful tools for assessing motion aberration or impairment related to physical disability. Read more...
Leave a Reply