An evaluation of optimization techniques for estimation of muscle forces based on EMGS during static isometric tasks
The purpose of this study was to critically evaluate ,the modeling potential of. optimization techniques for predicting muscle forces during isometric loading. Models of both the elbow a n d wrist joints were constructed, including all major active muscles. Several different protocols were implemented, incIuding models which balance one, two, three, and mixed degrees of freedom, and modulated co-contraction. Theoretical predictions were compared with EMG data. Results indicate a strong dependence of muscle coordination predictions on the number of degrees of freedom balanced, and a relative insensitivity to the particular objective function which is optimized. No particular optimization protocol was found to adequately represent actual muscle activity at the elbow, although predictions at the wrist were more favorable due to differences in the degrees of freedom at the joints.