Computational Method for Muscle Forces Estimation Based on Hill Rheological Model

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to propose a computationally efficient method at combining a direct dynamics approach and musculoskeletal system in order to generate muscle forces. The estimation method is essentially decomposed into three main parts. The first part is the development of a biomechanical model of upper limb allows to determine the musculotendon lengths. The second part is the processing of electromyography signals (EMG). The last part consists of estimating the musculotendon forces based on a Hill rheological model allowing to represent the elastic behavior of muscles. This study selects the motion of elbow flexion as the research object. The obtained results have confirmed the feasibility of forward approach for estimating muscle forces during dynamic contraction. They have shown a good overall correlation between the estimated muscle forces and the measured EMG data. These estimated muscle forces can be exploited in future experimental work as effective information to design and control exoskeletons.