Identification of muscle movements and activity by experimental methods for selected cases - stage #2

The aim of the performed tests and static measurements was to determine the torque and to determine the activity curve for individual muscle heads during the flexion-extension movement in the elbow joint.

Both heads of the biceps branchial muscle and the triceps muscle of the arm - long head and lateral head - were examined. Static measurements were carried out for four selected positions of the upper limb. For each pose, a measurement series consisting of five attempts of ten seconds of effort was performed. Isometric contraction was performed as 100% of the maximum voluntary MVC contraction. Dynamic measurements were carried out when working in isokinetic conditions. In both stages, an EMG and a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer were used.

During the analyses, it was assumed that the average value of the torque is equal to the approximate value of the torque of a given head under static conditions. The value of the torque of the biceps brachial muscle, long head was 48.04 Nm and for the short head - 45.82 Nm. For the triceps muscle of the long head, this value was 52.52 Nm and for the lateral head - 38.06 Nm. On the basis of dynamic measurements, four activation curves were determined for each of the heads during the 7-second task. For the curves, the sum value of muscle activity in a given period of time was calculated as the area under the curve.

Both parts of the series of articles present a series of experimental studies conducted in order to determine the parameters for one patient, for whom a personalized numerical model of the upper limb was ultimately created. Static measurements were carried out to determine the maximum values of the moments of forces. Dynamic measurements allowed for the determination of activity curves during the movement of the upper limb.