Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026

In vivo Measurement of Knee Extensor Muscle Function in Mice
Published on: March 4, 2021
A procedure for estimating the relevant forces in the human knee using a four-bar mechanism
Nidal Farhat1, Vicente Mata, David Rosa
1Centro de Investigación de Tecnología de Vehículos (CITV), Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera S/N, 46022 Valencia, Spain. nifar@upvnet.upv.es
Abstract:
Knee injuries, especially those that affect the cruciate and lateral ligaments, are one of the most serious and frequent pathologies that affect the lower human extremity. Hence, the aim of this study is to develop a dynamic model for the lower extremity capable of estimating forces, forces in the cruciate and collateral ligaments and those normal to the articular cartilage, generated in the knee. The proposed model considers a four-bar mechanism in the knee, a spherical joint in the pelvis and a revolute one in the ankle. The four-bar mechanism is obtained by a synthesis process. The dynamic model includes the inertial properties of the femur, tibia, patella and the foot, the ground reaction force and the most important muscles in the knee. Muscle forces are estimated using an optimisation technique. Results from the application of the model on a real human task are presented.
Related Concept Videos
Method of Joints: Problem Solving I
Method of Joints: Problem Solving II
Euler's Formula to Columns: Problem Solving
The system comprises two vertical rigid bars, AB and BC, of...
Machines: Problem Solving I
The toggle clamp system is a machine structure consisting of movable, pin-connected multi-force members that form a stabilized system to transmit forces. The...
Machines: Problem Solving II
Frames: Problem Solving II
