Coupled Bioaeroservoelastic Rotorcraft-Pilot Simulation

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierangelo Masarati ◽  
Giuseppe Quaranta
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Inverse Dynamics ◽  
Transfer Functions ◽  
Biomechanical Model ◽  
Coupled System ◽  
Multibody Modeling ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Pilot Model ◽  
Aeroelastic Model ◽  
Muscular Activation

This work presents the integration of a detailed biomechanical model of the arms of a helicopter pilot and an equivalently detailed aeroservoelastic model of a helicopter, resulting in what has been called a ‘bioaeroservoelastic’ analysis. The purpose is to investigate potential adverse interactions, called rotorcraft-pilot couplings, between the aeroservoelastic system and the controls involuntarily introduced by the pilot into the control system in response to rotorcraft vibrations transmitted to the pilot through the cockpit, the so-called biodynamic feedthrough. The force exerted by the pilot on the controls results from the activation of the muscles of the arms according to specific patterns. The reference muscular activation value as a function of the prescribed action on the controls is computed using an inverse kinetostatics/inverse dynamics approach. A first-order quasi-steady correction is adopted to mimic the reflexive contribution to muscle activation. Muscular activation is further augmented by activation patterns that produce elementary actions on the control inceptors. These muscular activation patterns, inferred using perturbation analysis, are applied to control the aircraft through the pilot’s limbs. The resulting biomechanical pilot model is applied to the aeroservoelastic analysis of a helicopter model expressly developed within the same multibody modeling environment to investigate adverse rotorcraft pilot couplings. The model consists of the detailed aeroelastic model of the main rotor, using nonlinear beams and blade element/momentum theory aerodynamics, a component mode synthesis model of the airframe structural dynamics, and servoactuator dynamics. Results in terms of stability analysis of the coupled system are presented in comparison with analogous results obtained using biodynamic feedthrough transfer functions identified from experimental data.

Bioaeroservoelastic Analysis of Involuntary Rotorcraft-Pilot Interaction

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierangelo Masarati ◽  
Giuseppe Quaranta
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Inverse Dynamics ◽  
Transfer Functions ◽  
Biomechanical Model ◽  
Coupled System ◽  
Multibody Modeling ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Pilot Model ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Muscular Activation

This work presents the integration of a detailed biomechanical model of the arm of a helicopter pilot and an equivalently detailed aeroservoelastic model of a helicopter, resulting in what has been called a ‘bioaeroservoelastic’ analysis. The purpose of this analysis is to investigate potential adverse interactions, called rotorcraft-pilot couplings, between the aeroservoelastic system and the controls involuntarily introduced by the pilot into the control system in response to rotorcraft vibrations transmitted to the pilot through the cockpit: the so-called biodynamic feedthrough. The force exerted by the pilot on the controls results from the activation of the muscles of the arms according to specific patterns. The reference muscular activation value as a function of the prescribed action on the controls is computed using an inverse kinetostatics/inverse dynamics approach. A first-order quasi-steady correction is adopted to mimic the reflexive contribution to muscle activation. Muscular activation is further augmented by activation patterns that produce elementary actions on the control inceptors. These muscular activation patterns, inferred using perturbation analysis, are applied to control the aircraft through the pilot's limbs. The resulting biomechanical pilot model is applied to the aeroservoelastic analysis of a helicopter model expressly developed within the same multibody modeling environment to investigate adverse rotorcraft pilot couplings. The model consists of the detailed aeroelastic model of the main rotor, using nonlinear beams and blade element/momentum theory aerodynamics, a component mode synthesis model of the airframe structural dynamics, and servoactuator dynamics. Results in terms of the stability analysis of the coupled system are presented in comparison with analogous results obtained using biodynamic feedthrough transfer functions identified from experimental data.

Rotorcraft Pilot Impedance From Inverse Dynamics-Based Biomechanical Model

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Zanoni ◽  
Giuseppe Quaranta ◽  
Pierangelo Masarati
Keyword(s):  
Inverse Dynamics ◽  
Biomechanical Model ◽  
Biomechanical Properties ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Joint Torques ◽  
Multibody Model ◽  
Equivalent Impedance ◽  
Helicopter Pilots ◽  
Machine Interface ◽  
Muscular Activation

The involuntary interaction of the pilot with a vehicle is often an undesired consequence of the biomechanical properties of the human body and its relation with the layout of the man-machine interface. This work discusses how muscular activation patterns affect the variability of the equivalent impedance of helicopter pilots. A multibody model is used to compute the joint torques associated to a prescribed pilot task, which are then transformed into corresponding ‘optimal’ muscular activation patterns. Equivalent pilot impedance is obtained by consistently linearizing the constitutive model of the muscles about the reference activation. The effect on equivalent impedance of non-optimal activation, resulting from the addition of Torque-Less Activation Modes to the optimal activation, is evaluated and discussed.

Estimation of Muscle Forces About the Ankle During Gait in Healthy and Neurologically Impaired Subjects

2011 ◽  
pp. 320-347
Author(s):  
Daniel N. Bassett ◽  
Joseph D. Gardinier ◽  
Kurt T. Manal ◽  
Thomas S. Buchanan
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Inverse Dynamics ◽  
Biomechanical Model ◽  
Forward Dynamics ◽  
Muscle Forces ◽  
Dynamics Model ◽  
Joint Moments ◽  
Neurologically Impaired ◽  
Model Predictions ◽  
Contraction Dynamics

This chapter describes a biomechanical model of the forces about the ankle joint applicable to both unimpaired and neurologically impaired subjects. EMGs and joint kinematics are used as inputs and muscle forces are the outputs. A hybrid modeling approach that uses both forward and inverse dynamics is employed and physiological parameters for the model are tuned for each subject using optimization procedures. The forward dynamics part of the model takes muscle activation and uses Hill-type models of muscle contraction dynamics to estimate muscle forces and the corresponding joint moments. Inverse dynamics is used to calibrate the forward dynamics model predictions of joint moments. In this chapter we will describe how to implement an EMG-driven hybrid forward and inverse dynamics model of the ankle that can be used in healthy and neurologically impaired people.

EMG-Assisted Neuromusculoskeletal Models Can Estimate Physiological Muscle Activations and Joint Moments Across the Neck Before Impacts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavlos Silvestros ◽  
Claudio Pizzolato ◽  
David G. Lloyd ◽  
Ezio Preatoni ◽  
Harinderjit S. Gill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Inverse Dynamics ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Neck Muscle ◽  
Joint Moments ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Muscle Activation Patterns ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Muscle Activations

Abstract Knowledge of neck muscle activation strategies prior to sporting impacts is crucial for investigating mechanisms of severe spinal injuries. However, measurement of muscle activations during impacts is experimentally challenging and computational estimations are not often guided by experimental measurements. We investigated neck muscle activations prior to impacts with the use of electromyography (EMG)-assisted neuromusculoskeletal models. Kinematics and EMG recordings from four major neck muscles of a rugby player were experimentally measured during rugby activities. A subject-specific musculoskeletal model was created with muscle parameters informed from MRI measurements. The model was used in the Calibrated EMG-Informed Neuromusculoskeletal Modelling toolbox and three neural solutions were compared: i) static optimisation (SO), ii) EMG-assisted (EMGa) and iii) MRI-informed EMG-assisted (EMGaMRI). EMGaMRI and EMGa significantly (p¡0.01) outperformed SO when tracking cervical spine net joint moments from inverse dynamics in flexion/extension (RMSE = 0.95, 1.14 and 2.32 Nm) but not in lateral bending (RMSE = 1.07, 2.07 and 0.84 Nm). EMG-assisted solutions generated physiological muscle activation patterns and maintained experimental co-contractions significantly (p¡0.01) outperforming SO, which was characterised by saturation and non-physiological "on-off" patterns. This study showed for the first time that physiological neck muscle activations and cervical spine net joint moments can be estimated without assumed a priori objective criteria prior to impacts. Future studies could use this technique to provide detailed initial loading conditions for theoretical simulations of neck injury during impacts.

Stability of Stepping Movements in the Frontal Plain: A Biomechanical Model

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonja A. Karg
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Biomechanical Model ◽  
Pattern Generator ◽  
Neural Oscillator ◽  
Complex Task ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Muscle Activation Patterns ◽  
Oscillator Network ◽  
Stepping In Place ◽  
Basic Movement

Walking is a complex task influenced by many factors. It is still not well understood how single parts as mechanics, sensor feedback and according control components are integrated to the very robust and adaptive task ‘walking’. So one possible way to address this task is to look at single components, as passive mechanics, and analyze their abilities for walking [1,2]. Or rhythmic movement mechanisms in vertebrates are analyzed, like central pattern generator mechanisms, to produce muscle activation patterns [3]. The combination of mechanics and rhythmic actuation leads to more robust walkers [4]. In the following a new biomechanical model for stepping movements in the frontal plain is introduced. This model bases on passive dynamics actuated by a neural oscillator network. It concentrates on low level generation of basic movement patterns which allow different stepping tasks as stepping in place, stepping up and down or stepping to the side. For the case stepping in place, it is shown that there exist periodic movements which are stable in the sense of a limit cycle, though the movement is varied in frequency and amplitude.

Estimation of Corrective Changes in Muscle Activation Patterns for Stroke Patients During FES Intervention

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Shao ◽  
Daniel N. Bassett ◽  
Kurt Manal ◽  
Thomas S. Buchanan
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Biomechanical Model ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Know How ◽  
Muscle Activation Patterns ◽  
Person Following ◽  
Human Movements

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) has been used in the rehabilitation of stroke patients. It is important to know how to stimulate the muscles when using FES. Many control methods have been used to derive the required electrical stimulation patterns. However, these models were not developed based on biomechanical model of human neuromuscular system, thus can not account for sophisticated neurological control strategies during human movements. Based on our developed electromyography (EMG) driven model, we have created a biomechanical model to estimate the corrective increases in muscle activation patterns needed for a person following stroke to walk with an improved normal gait.

scholarly journals A cross-species neural integration of gravity for motor optimization

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (15) ◽  
pp. eabf7800
Author(s):  
Jeremie Gaveau ◽  
Sidney Grospretre ◽  
Bastien Berret ◽  
Dora E. Angelaki ◽  
Charalambos Papaxanthis
Keyword(s):  
Optimization Strategy ◽  
Motor Patterns ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Single Degree Of Freedom ◽  
Single Degree ◽  
Neural Integration ◽  
Gravity Effects ◽  
Neural Signature ◽  
Experimental Findings ◽  
Muscular Activation

Recent kinematic results, combined with model simulations, have provided support for the hypothesis that the human brain shapes motor patterns that use gravity effects to minimize muscle effort. Because many different muscular activation patterns can give rise to the same trajectory, here, we specifically investigate gravity-related movement properties by analyzing muscular activation patterns during single-degree-of-freedom arm movements in various directions. Using a well-known decomposition method of tonic and phasic electromyographic activities, we demonstrate that phasic electromyograms (EMGs) present systematic negative phases. This negativity reveals the optimal motor plan’s neural signature, where the motor system harvests the mechanical effects of gravity to accelerate downward and decelerate upward movements, thereby saving muscle effort. We compare experimental findings in humans to monkeys, generalizing the Effort-optimization strategy across species.

scholarly journals Is the Occurrence of the Sticking Region in Maximum Smith Machine Squats the Result of Diminishing Potentiation and Co-Contraction of the Prime Movers among Recreationally Resistance Trained Males?

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1366
Author(s):  
Roland van den Tillaar ◽  
Eirik Lindset Kristiansen ◽  
Stian Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Gluteus Maximus ◽  
Knee Extensors ◽  
Force Output ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Muscle Activation Patterns ◽  
Prime Movers ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Height Data

This study compared the kinetics, barbell, and joint kinematics and muscle activation patterns between a one-repetition maximum (1-RM) Smith machine squat and isometric squats performed at 10 different heights from the lowest barbell height. The aim was to investigate if force output is lowest in the sticking region, indicating that this is a poor biomechanical region. Twelve resistance trained males (age: 22 ± 5 years, mass: 83.5 ± 39 kg, height: 1.81 ± 0.20 m) were tested. A repeated two-way analysis of variance showed that Force output decreased in the sticking region for the 1-RM trial, while for the isometric trials, force output was lowest between 0–15 cm from the lowest barbell height, data that support the sticking region is a poor biomechanical region. Almost all muscles showed higher activity at 1-RM compared with isometric attempts (p < 0.05). The quadriceps activity decreased, and the gluteus maximus and shank muscle activity increased with increasing height (p ≤ 0.024). Moreover, the vastus muscles decreased only for the 1-RM trial while remaining stable at the same positions in the isometric trials (p = 0.04), indicating that potentiation occurs. Our findings suggest that a co-contraction between the hip and knee extensors, together with potentiation from the vastus muscles during ascent, creates a poor biomechanical region for force output, and thereby the sticking region among recreationally resistance trained males during 1-RM Smith machine squats.

Differences in muscular activation and fatigue for intermittent and constant load

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-56
Author(s):  
Danuta Roman-Liu ◽  
Krzysztof Kȩdzior
Keyword(s):  
External Force ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Regression Line ◽  
Constant Load ◽  
Median Frequency ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Emg Signal ◽  
Limb Posture ◽  
Muscular Activation

The aim of this study was to compare the influence of constant or intermittent load on muscle activation and fatigue. The analysis and assessment of muscular activation and fatigue was based on surface EMG measurements from eight muscles (seven muscles of the right upper limb and trapezius muscle). Two EMG signal parameters were analyzed for each of the experimental conditions distinguished by the value of the external force and the character of the load – constant or intermittent. The amplitude related to its maximum (AMP) and the slope of the regression line between time and median frequency (SMF) were the EMG parameters that were analyzed. The results showed that constant load caused higher muscular fatigue than intermittent load despite the lower value of the external force and lower muscle activation. Results suggest that additional external force might influence muscle activation and fatigue more than upper limb posture. The results of the study support the thesis that all biomechanical factors which influence upper limb load and fatigue (upper limb posture, external force and time sequences) should be considered when work stands and work processes are designed. They also indicate that constant load should be especially avoided.

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