Using Torque-Angle and Torque–Velocity Models to Characterize Elbow Mechanical Function: Modeling and Applied Aspects

Abstract

Characterization of muscle mechanism through the torque-angle and torque–velocity relationships is critical for human movement evaluation and simulation. in vivo determination of these relationships through dynamometric measurements and modeling is based on physiological and mathematical aspects. However, no investigation regarding the effects of the mathematical model and the physiological parameters underneath these models was found. The purpose of the current study was to compare the capacity of various torque-angle and torque–velocity models to fit experimental dynamometric measurement of the elbow and provide meaningful mechanical and physiological information. Therefore, varying mathematical function and physiological muscle parameters from the literature were tested. While a quadratic torque-angle model seemed to increase predicted to measured elbow torque fitting, a new power-based torque–velocity parametric model gave meaningful physiological values to interpret with similar fitting results to a classical torque–velocity model. This model is of interest to extract modeling and clinical knowledge characterizing the mechanical behavior of such a joint.