A neuromuscular elbow model for analysis of force and movement variability in slow movements

In this paper, we present a neuromuscular elbow model with both motor unit pool recruitment and Hill-based contraction dynamics. The model builds upon various models reported in the literature and provides a way to quantify force and movement variability in both isometric and non-isometric contractions. The model's accuracy in estimating muscle force variability at low force levels (at less than 20% maximum voluntary contraction) is evaluated in isometric contraction case and compared with experimental results from the literature. This comparison suggests that the model is accurate in estimating force variability within the low force range and can be used to explore effects of muscle force variability in increased kinematic variability during slow movements.