A review of biomechanical models

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Musculoskeletal System Modeling

Background:

• Biomechanical models are crucial for understanding human movement.
• Nonimpact models focus on the musculo-skeletal system, excluding impact forces.
• Existing models address bones, joints, body segments, and locomotion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To survey and discuss nonimpact biomechanical models of the musculo-skeletal system.
• To review models of bones, joints, body segments, and human gait.
• To analyze stress in bone, forces across joints, and locomotion kinetics/kinematics.

Main Methods:

• Review and synthesis of existing literature on biomechanical modeling.
• Categorization of models based on formulation, solution, and result realism.
• Discussion of specific applications like stress analysis and joint force calculation.

Main Results:

• Comprehensive overview of various nonimpact biomechanical models.
• Analysis of model formulation, solution techniques, and result validity.
• Identification of key areas for improvement in current modeling approaches.

Conclusions:

• There is a need for more data on the material properties of biological tissues.
• Further experimental research is required for validating existing biomechanical models.
• Development of objective functions for indeterminate problems requires further investigation.