Evaluation of the global optimisation method within the upper limb kinematics analysis

The aim of this study is to assess the performances of the global optimisation (GO) method (Bone position estimation from skin marker co-ordinates using GO with joint constraints. Journal of Biomechanics 32, 129-134) within the upper limb kinematics analysis. First the model of the upper limb is presented. Then we apply GO method in order to reduce skin movement artefacts that imply relative movement between markers and bones. The performances of the method are then evaluated with the help of simulated movements of the upper limb. Results show a significant reduction of the errors and of the variability due to skin movement.