Fatigue Detection Using Phase-Space Warping

A novel application of phase-space warping (PSW) method to detect fatigue in the musculoskeletal system is presented. Experimental kinematic, force, and physiological signals are used to produce a fatigue metric. The metric is produced using time-delay embedding and PSW methods. The results showed that by using force and kinematic signals, an overall estimate of the muscle group state can be achieved. Further, when using electromyography (EMG) signals the fatigue metric can be used as a tool to evaluate muscles activation and load sharing patterns for individual muscles. The presented method will allow for fatigue evolution measurement outside a laboratory environment, which open doors to applications such as tracking the physical state of players during competition, workers in a plant, and patients undergoing in-home rehabilitation.