Structural modeling of the human musculoskeletal system for exercise therapy

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to establish a concise structural model of the human musculoskeletal (HMS) system to be used for an exercise therapy of a malfunction or a distortion called Somatic Balance Restoring Treatment (SRBT). This model must be comprehensive for therapists while maintaining a theoretical thoroughness in mechanics. For this objective, a system approach called Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) has been applied to bridge multi-body dynamics and clinical observations. From a mechanical viewpoint, the HMS system can be treated as a collection of joint connected 15 rigid bodies in a topological tree. From a clinical viewpoint, joints are of major concern since most malfunctions take place at the joints. Based on clinical observation data accumulated for 36 years, we have discovered that all HMS motions can be constructed by a combination of 80 fundamental motion elements and that all motions are interacted with each other. By applying the ISM for the HMS system, we have obtained that an active motion element with intention induces associated motion element(s). In addition, the ISM yields a tiered structure of the fundamental motion elements according to the degree of activeness; and most importantly, an overall investigation of the matrix characteristics has revealed a fundamental structure of the SBRT. © 2013 The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers.