Refine
Year of publication
Institute
- Fachbereich Medizintechnik und Technomathematik (1569) (remove)
Has Fulltext
- no (1569) (remove)
Language
- English (1569) (remove)
Document Type
- Article (1314)
- Conference Proceeding (135)
- Book (43)
- Part of a Book (43)
- Doctoral Thesis (18)
- Other (6)
- Patent (4)
- Preprint (3)
- Conference: Meeting Abstract (1)
- Habilitation (1)
Keywords
- LAPS (4)
- Natural language processing (4)
- CellDrum (3)
- Field-effect sensor (3)
- Light-addressable potentiometric sensor (3)
- Paired sample (3)
- hydrogen peroxide (3)
- impedance spectroscopy (3)
- Bacillus atrophaeus (2)
- Biocomposites (2)
- Boundary integral equations (2)
- Clustering (2)
- Conductive boundary condition (2)
- Empirical process (2)
- Force (2)
- Goodness-of-fit test (2)
- Incomplete data (2)
- Independence test (2)
- Information extraction (2)
- Iterative learning control (2)
- Limit analysis (2)
- Machine learning (2)
- Natural fibres (2)
- Parametric bootstrap (2)
- Polymer-matrix composites (2)
- Raman spectroscopy (2)
- Shakedown analysis (2)
- Simulation (2)
- Stiffness (2)
- Stress concentrations (2)
- Transmission eigenvalues (2)
- biopotential electrodes (2)
- constructive alignment (2)
- damage (2)
- examination (2)
- field-effect sensor (2)
- frequency mixing magnetic detection (2)
- humans (2)
- likelihood ratio test (2)
- locomotion (2)
- long-term retention (2)
- multimodal (2)
- muscle fascicle behavior (2)
- not identically distributed (2)
- practical learning (2)
- tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) (2)
- ultrasound (2)
- ultrasound imaging (2)
- (Bio)degradation (1)
- Acceleration (1)
- Achilles tendon (1)
- Active learning (1)
- Adaptive control (1)
- Afterload (1)
- Ageing (1)
- Agent-based modeling (1)
- Agent-based simulation (1)
- AlterG (1)
- Alzheimer's disease (1)
- Analytical models (1)
- Anastomotic leakage (1)
- Anatomy (1)
- Annulus Fibrosus (1)
- Architectural gear ratio (1)
- Assistive technology (1)
- Asymptotic efficiency (1)
- Asymptotic relative efficiency (1)
- Autolysis (1)
- Automatic control (1)
- Bacillus atrophaeus spores (1)
- Bacillus sp (1)
- Balance (1)
- Biomechanical simulation (1)
- Biomolecular logic gate (1)
- Biosolubilization (1)
- Bladder (1)
- Bone sawing (1)
- Booster Station (1)
- Bootstrap (1)
- Bootstrapping (1)
- Boundary integral equations, (1)
- Brownian Pillow (1)
- CNOT (1)
- Calorimetric gas sensor (1)
- Capacitive field-effect (1)
- Capacitive model (1)
- Cardiac myocytes (1)
- Cardiac tissue (1)
- Categorial variable (1)
- Cell permeability (1)
- Cellular force (1)
- Cementoblast (1)
- Censored data (1)
- Chance constrained programming (1)
- Chemical images (1)
- Chemical imaging (1)
- Chemical imaging sensor (1)
- Chemical sensor (1)
- Circular Dichroism (1)
- Cloud Computing (1)
- Cloud Service Broker (1)
- Co-managed care (1)
- Coal (1)
- Coat protein (1)
- Coefficient of ocular rigidity (1)
- Collective risk model (1)
- Comparative simulation (1)
- Competitiveness (1)
- Complex System (1)
- Complex-valued eigenvalues (1)
- Compliance (1)
- Compression (1)
- Computational biomechanics (1)
- Concomitant (1)
- Conductive Boundary Condition (1)
- Conservation laws (1)
- Constitutive model (1)
- Contractile tension (1)
- Contractility (1)
- Corneo-scleral shell (1)
- Coverage probability (1)
- Cramér-von-Mises statistic (1)
- Cramér-von-Mises test (1)
- Cross border adjustment mechanism (1)
- Crámer–von-Mises distance (1)
- C–V method (1)
- DNA (1)
- DNA biosensor (1)
- DNA hybridization (1)
- DPA (dipicolinic acid) (1)
- Damage mechanics theory (1)
- Database (1)
- Decomposition (1)
- Deep learning (1)
- Dehydrogenase (1)
- Diaphorase (1)
- Differential tonometry (1)
- Dimensional splitting (1)
- Disc Degeneration (1)
- Discontinuous fractures (1)
- Discrete Optimization (1)
- Drug simulation (1)
- Dry surfaces (1)
- E-Mobility (1)
- EEG (1)
- EIS capacitive sensor (1)
- ES-FEM (1)
- Eigenvalue trajectories (1)
- Elderly (1)
- Electrolyte–insulator–semiconductor (1)
- Electromagnetism (1)
- Electromechanical modeling (1)
- Elemental (1)
- End-to-end colorectal anastomosis (1)
- Endothelial cells (1)
- Endothelial dysfunction (1)
- Energy dispatch (1)
- Energy market (1)
- Energy market design (1)
- Energy-intensive industry (1)
- Entropy solution (1)
- Enzymatic biosensor (1)
- Enzyme biosensor (1)
- Enzyme coverage (1)
- Enzyme logic gate (1)
- Enzyme nanocarrier (1)
- Equivalence test (1)
- Esophageal Doppler monitor (1)
- Evolution of damage (1)
- Exponential Euler scheme, (1)
- Exponential time differencing (1)
- Extension fracture (1)
- Extension strain criterion (1)
- External knee adduction moments (1)
- Eyeball (1)
- FGF23 (1)
- FS-FEM (1)
- Fall prevention (1)
- Field effect (1)
- Field-effect biosensor (1)
- Field-effect device (1)
- Finite difference methods (1)
- Finite element analysis (1)
- Finite element analysis (FEA) (1)
- Finite element modelling (1)
- Floor prices (1)
- Focusing (1)
- Forces (1)
- Fracture configuration (1)
- Fracture simulation (1)
- Freeze–thaw process (1)
- Frequency adaption (1)
- Frequency mixing magnetic detection (1)
- Functional Delta Method (1)
- Gamma distribution (1)
- Glaucoma (1)
- Glucose biosensor (1)
- Glucose oxidase (1)
- Gold nanoparticle (1)
- Goodness-of-fit tests for uniformity (1)
- Grid Computing (1)
- Ground-level falls (1)
- Growth modelling (1)
- H2 (1)
- Hadamard differentiability (1)
- Haemodialysis (1)
- Handbike (1)
- Heart tissue culture (1)
- Helmholtz equation (1)
- Heterostructure (1)
- Higher-order codes (1)
- Hodgkin–Huxley models (1)
- Hoeffding-Blum-Kiefer-Rosenblatt independence test (1)
- Homogenization (1)
- Hotelling’s T² test (1)
- Human-Computer interaction (1)
- Hydrogen peroxide (1)
- Hydrogenotrophic methanogens (1)
- Image Reconstruction (1)
- Impedance Spectroscopy (1)
- Impedance spectroscopy (1)
- Implicit methods (1)
- Induced pluripotent stem cells (1)
- Information Extraction (1)
- Inotropic compounds (1)
- Instruments (1)
- Integrated empirical distribution (survival) function (1)
- Interior Neumann eigenvalues (1)
- Interior transmission eigenvalues (1)
- Interior transmission problem (1)
- Intervertebral Disc (1)
- Intradiscal Pressure (1)
- Inverse Scattering (1)
- Inverse dynamic problem (1)
- Inverse kinematic problem (1)
- Inverse scattering (1)
- Inverse spectral problem (1)
- Ion channels (1)
- Kinetic energy (1)
- Klotho (1)
- Knee (1)
- LPS (1)
- Lab-on-Chip (1)
- Label-free detection (1)
- Langevin theory (1)
- Layer-by-layer adsorption (1)
- LbL films (1)
- Light-addressable Potentiometric Sensor (1)
- Lipopolysaccharide (1)
- Liver (1)
- Load modeling (1)
- Long COVID (1)
- MOS (1)
- Magnetic nanoparticles (1)
- Manipulated variables (1)
- Marginal homogeneity (1)
- Marginal homogeneity test (1)
- Market modeling (1)
- Matrix exponential (1)
- Measurement (1)
- Mechanical simulation (1)
- Mechanotransduction (1)
- Metascintillator (1)
- Methane (1)
- Methanogenesis (1)
- Microbial adhesion (1)
- Microcirculation (1)
- Micromagnetic simulation (1)
- Mild cognitive impairment (1)
- Mobility (1)
- Mobility tests (1)
- Mobility transition (1)
- Mohr–Coulomb criterion (1)
- Monotone methods (1)
- Multi-criteria decision analysis (1)
- Multi-dimensional partial differential equations (1)
- Multi-sample problem (1)
- Multianalyte detection (1)
- Multimode failure (1)
- Multiple TOF kernels (1)
- Muscle (1)
- Muscle Fascicle (1)
- Muscle Force (1)
- Muscle fibers (1)
- Musculoskeletal model (1)
- Musculoskeletal system (1)
- Myocardial infarction and cardiac death (1)
- NONOate (1)
- Natural Language Processing (1)
- Natural language understanding (1)
- Negative impedance convertor (1)
- Neural Network (1)
- Niacin (1)
- Nitric Oxide (1)
- Nitric Oxide Donor (1)
- Non-linear optimization (1)
- Non-parallel fissures (1)
- Nonequilibrium dynamics (1)
- Nonlinear Dynamics (1)
- Nonlinear PDEs (1)
- Nonlinear eigenvalue problems (1)
- Nucleus Pulposus (1)
- Numerical inversion of Laplace transforms (1)
- Numerical linear algebra (1)
- Numerics (1)
- O2 plasma (1)
- Ocular blood flow (1)
- Open Data (1)
- Open source (1)
- Organic light-emitting diode display (1)
- PTH (1)
- Parabolic SPDEs (1)
- Paralympic sport (1)
- Passive stretching (1)
- Pelvic floor dysfunction (1)
- Pelvic muscle (1)
- Penicillin (1)
- Pharmacology (1)
- Phosphate (1)
- Physiology (1)
- Poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (1)
- Poly(d,l-lacticacid) (1)
- Polyimide (1)
- Post-COVID-19 syndrome (1)
- Potential theory (1)
- Potentiometry (1)
- Preference assessment (1)
- Pressure-volume relationship (1)
- Process model (1)
- Product-integration (1)
- Profile Extraction (1)
- Profile extraction (1)
- Proximal humerus fracture (1)
- Pulsations (1)
- Pump System (1)
- Query learning (1)
- RVA (1)
- Reaction-diffusion systems (1)
- Real distinct pole (1)
- Real-time monitoring (1)
- Recombinant activated protein C (1)
- Reconstruction (1)
- Refining (1)
- Regionalization (1)
- Rehabilitation Technology and Prosthetics (1)
- Rehabilitation engineering (1)
- Relation classification (1)
- Reliability analysis (1)
- Reliability of structures (1)
- Renewable energy sources (1)
- Reproducible research (1)
- Resampling test (1)
- Resolvent Operator (1)
- Resonance-mode measurement (1)
- Retinal vessel analysis (1)
- Retinal vessels (1)
- Riboflavin (1)
- Robotic rehabilitation (1)
- Rotator cuff (1)
- Running (1)
- S-FEM (1)
- Sampling methods (1)
- ScaLAPACK (1)
- Semi-parametric random censorship model (1)
- Septic cardiomyopathy (1)
- Simultaneous determination (1)
- Sleep EEG (1)
- Sn₃O₄ (1)
- Source term (1)
- Spleen (1)
- Steel industry (1)
- Sterilisation process (1)
- Stochastic programming (1)
- Surface microorganisms (1)
- Surgical Navigation and Robotics (1)
- Surgical staplers (1)
- Survival analysis (1)
- Swabbing (1)
- TMV adsorption (1)
- TOF PET (1)
- Ta₂O₅ gate (1)
- Technical Operations Research (TOR) (1)
- Tendon Rupture (1)
- Tendon properties (1)
- Tension (1)
- Text Mining (1)
- Text mining (1)
- Thiamine (1)
- Time-series (1)
- Tinetti test (1)
- Tobacco mosaic virus (1)
- Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) (1)
- Training (1)
- Transmission Eigenvalues (1)
- Trustworthy artificial intelligence (1)
- Uniaxial compression test (1)
- Ureter (1)
- Vapnik–Čhervonenkis class (1)
- Variable height stapler design (1)
- Vascular response (1)
- Vasomotions (1)
- Velocity (1)
- Visual field asymmetry (1)
- Vitamin A (1)
- Vitamin B (1)
- Vitamin D (1)
- Volterra integral equation (1)
- Volume of confidence regions (1)
- Volume status (1)
- Volumes of confidence regions (1)
- Workflow (1)
- Workflow Orchestration (1)
- XML (1)
- XOR (1)
- access control (1)
- acetoin (1)
- achilles tendon (1)
- actin cytoskeleton (1)
- adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) (1)
- adsorption (1)
- agility (1)
- allocation (1)
- anaesthetic complications (1)
- anisotropy (1)
- annealing (1)
- aortic perfusion (1)
- aquaculture (1)
- artificial olfactory image (1)
- asymptotic relative efficiency (1)
- authorization (1)
- barium strontium titanate (1)
- biaxial tensile experiment (1)
- biomechanics (1)
- biosensor (1)
- biosensors (1)
- bootstrap (1)
- calorimetric gas sensor (1)
- calorimetric gas sensor;hydrogen peroxide;wireless sensor system (1)
- capacitive field-effect biosensor (1)
- capacitive field-effect sensor (1)
- carbonized rice husk (1)
- cardiomyocyte biomechanics (1)
- catalytic metal (1)
- cell aerosolization (1)
- cell atomization (1)
- central symmetry test (1)
- cerebral small vessel disease (1)
- chance constrained programming (1)
- chemical sensor (1)
- chip-based sensor setup (1)
- cognitive impairment (1)
- community dwelling (1)
- complete block symmetry (1)
- computational fluid dynamics analysis (1)
- concrete (1)
- conditional excess distribution (1)
- conditional expectation principle (1)
- confidence interval (1)
- connective tissue (1)
- constitutive modeling (1)
- contactless conductivity sensor (1)
- containers (1)
- correlation (1)
- coupled Néel–Brownian relaxation dynamics (1)
- covariance principle (1)
- dental trauma (1)
- dialysis (1)
- difficult airway (1)
- distorted element (1)
- distribution strategy (1)
- double-lumen tube intubation (1)
- drop jump (1)
- eigensolvers (1)
- elastic scattering (1)
- electrical conductivity of liquids (1)
- electrolyte-insulator semiconductor sensor (EIS) (1)
- electromyography (1)
- electronic nose (1)
- endoluminal (1)
- endospores (1)
- energy absorption (1)
- energy dissipation (1)
- engines (1)
- enzymatic (bio)degradation (1)
- enzyme cascade (1)
- enzyme immobilization (1)
- exchangeability test (1)
- extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (1)
- fatty acid (1)
- field-effect structure (1)
- force generation (1)
- forecast (1)
- forehead EEG (1)
- framework (1)
- frequency mixing (1)
- functional data (1)
- gait (1)
- gas sensor (1)
- glucose oxidase (GOx) (1)
- goodness-of-fit test (1)
- grid computing (1)
- healthy aging (1)
- heavy metals (1)
- hiPS cardiomyocytes (1)
- high-intensity exercise (1)
- high-k material (1)
- history (1)
- horseradish peroxidase (HRP) (1)
- huge dimensional data (1)
- humic acid (1)
- hydroxylation (1)
- hyper-gravity (1)
- hyperelastic (1)
- hypo-gravity (1)
- immobilization (1)
- in-ear EEG (1)
- in-situ monitoring (1)
- independence test (1)
- intraclass correlation coefficient (1)
- key performance indicators (1)
- lable-free detection (1)
- libraries (1)
- light-addressable potentiometric sensor (1)
- light-addressing technologies (1)
- lignite (1)
- limit analysis (1)
- lipopolysaccharide (1)
- magnetic actuation (1)
- magnetic beads (1)
- magnetic biosensing (1)
- magnetic nanoparticles (1)
- magnetic relaxation (1)
- magnetic sandwich immunoassay (1)
- magnetic sensing (1)
- magnetic separation (1)
- magnetic tweezers (1)
- magnetophoretic velocity (1)
- mechanical buffer (1)
- metal-oxide-semiconductor structure (1)
- metathesis (1)
- method of fundamental solutions (1)
- microfluidics (1)
- micromagnetic simulation (1)
- multi-functional material (1)
- multinomial distribution (1)
- multiparametric immunoassays (1)
- multivariate normal distribution (1)
- muscle mechanics (1)
- nanobelts (1)
- non-simplex S-FEM elements (1)
- novel photoexcitation method (1)
- optical sensor setup (1)
- optical spore trapping (1)
- optical trapping (1)
- organosilanes (1)
- overload (1)
- parabolic flight (1)
- performance analysis (1)
- performance testing (1)
- physiology (1)
- plant virus detection (1)
- plug-based microfluidic device (1)
- poly(d, l-lactic acid) (1)
- polyamide (1)
- polyester (1)
- portfolio risk (1)
- prevention (1)
- provenance (1)
- psychosocial (1)
- random effects (1)
- random effects meta-regression model (1)
- rehabilitation (1)
- reliability of structures (1)
- renewable resources (1)
- resource management (1)
- retinal microvasculature (1)
- retinal vessels (1)
- running (1)
- sEMG (1)
- sarcomere operating length (1)
- scanned light pulse technique (1)
- scheduling (1)
- security (1)
- sensors (1)
- separable Hilbert space (1)
- series elastic element behavior (1)
- shakedown analysis (1)
- shoulder (1)
- silanization (1)
- simulation (1)
- smooth muscle contraction (1)
- spatial resolution (1)
- sprint start (1)
- standard error of measurement (1)
- sterilisation (1)
- sterilization (1)
- sterilization conditions (1)
- stiffness (1)
- stochastic programming (1)
- strain energy function (1)
- stretch reflex (1)
- stretch-shortening cycle (1)
- superparamagnetic bead (1)
- superparamagnetic nanoparticles (1)
- surface functionalization (1)
- surface modification (1)
- survival (1)
- synchronization (1)
- temperature (1)
- tendon rupture (1)
- test-retest reliability (1)
- thermometry (1)
- tilted constant illumination (1)
- training simulator (1)
- tri-lineage differentiation (1)
- turnip vein clearing virus (TVCV) (1)
- twin-fluid atomizer (1)
- ultrasonography (1)
- uniformly most powerful invariant test (1)
- unloading (1)
- videolaryngoscopy (1)
- virgin passive (1)
- virtual reality (1)
- viscoelasticity (1)
- visualization (1)
- walking (1)
- walking gait (1)
- workflow (1)
- workflow management software (1)
Comparison of different training algorithms for the leg extension training with an industrial robot
(2018)
In the past, different training scenarios have been developed and implemented on robotic research platforms, but no systematic analysis and comparison have been done so far. This paper deals with the comparison of an isokinematic (motion with constant velocity) and an isotonic (motion against constant weight) training algorithm. Both algorithms are designed for a robotic research platform consisting of a 3D force plate and a high payload industrial robot, which allows leg extension training with arbitrary six-dimensional motion trajectories. In the isokinematic as well as the isotonic training algorithm, individual paths are defined i n C artesian s pace by sufficient s upport p oses. I n t he i sotonic t raining s cenario, the trajectory is adapted to the measured force as the robot should only move along the trajectory as long as the force applied by the user exceeds a minimum threshold. In the isotonic training scenario however, the robot’s acceleration is a function of the force applied by the user. To validate these findings, a simulative experiment with a simple linear trajectory is performed. For this purpose, the same force path is applied in both training scenarios. The results illustrate that the algorithms differ in the force dependent trajectory adaption.
Training-induced increase in Achilles tendon stiffness affects tendon strain pattern during running
(2019)
Background
During the stance phase of running, the elasticity of the Achilles tendon enables the utilisation of elastic energy and allows beneficial contractile conditions for the triceps surae muscles. However, the effect of changes in tendon mechanical properties induced by chronic loading is still poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that a training-induced increase in Achilles tendon stiffness would result in reduced tendon strain during the stance phase of running, which would reduce fascicle strains in the triceps surae muscles, particularly in the mono-articular soleus.
Methods
Eleven subjects were assigned to a training group performing isometric singleleg plantarflexion contractions three times per week for ten weeks, and another ten subjects formed a control group. Before and after the training period, Achilles tendon stiffness was estimated, and muscle-tendon mechanics were assessed during running at preferred speed using ultrasonography, kinematics and kinetics.
Results
Achilles tendon stiffness increased by 18% (P <0:01) in the training group, but the associated reduction in strain seen during isometric contractions was not statistically significant. Tendon elongation during the stance phase of running was similar after training, but tendon recoil was reduced by 30% (P <0:01), while estimated tendon force remained unchanged. Neither gastrocnemius medialis nor soleus fascicle shortening during stance was affected by training.
Discussion
These results show that a training-induced increase in Achilles tendon
stiffness altered tendon behaviour during running. Despite training-induced changes in tendon mechanical properties and recoil behaviour, the data suggest that fascicle shortening patterns were preserved for the running speed that we examined. The asymmetrical changes in tendon strain patterns supports the notion that simple inseries models do not fully explain the mechanical output of the muscle-tendon unit during a complex task like running.
The MYOTONES experiment is the first to monitor changes in the basic biomechanical properties (tone, elasticity and stiffness) of the resting human myofascial system due to microgravity with a oninvasive, portable device on board the ISS. The MyotonPRO device applies several brief mechanical stimuli to the surface of the skin, and the natural oscillation signals of the tissue beneath are detected and computed by the MyotonPRO. Thus, an objective, quick and easy determination of the state of the underlying tissue is possible.
Two preflight, four inflight and four post flight measurements were performed on a male astronaut using the same 10 measurement points (MP) for each session. MPs were located on the plantar fascia, Achilles tendon, M. soleus, M. gastrocnemius, M. multifidus, M. splenius capitis, M. deltoideus anterior, M. rectus femoris, infrapatellar tendon, M. tibialis anterior. Subcutaneous tissues thickness above the MPs was measured using ultrasound imaging. Magnetic resonance images (MRI) of lower limb muscles and functional tests were also performed pre- and postflight.
Our first measurements on board the ISS confirmed increased tone and stiffness of the lumbar multifidus muscle, an important trunk stabilizer, dysfunction of which is known to be associated with back pain. Furthermore, reduced tone and stiffness of Achilles tendon and plantar fascia were observed inflight vs. preflight, confirming previous findings from terrestrial analog studies and parabolic
flights. Unexpectedly, the deltoid showed negative inflight changes in tone and stiffness, and increased elasticity, suggesting a potential risk of muscle atrophy in longer spaceflight that should be addressed by adequate inflight countermeasure protocols. Most values from limb and back MPS showed deflected patterns (in either directions) from inflight shortly after the re-entry phase on the landing day and one week later. Most parameter values then normalized to baseline after 3 weeks likely due to 1G re-adaptation and possible outcome of the reconditioning protocol. No major changes in subcutaneous tissues thickness above the MPs were found inflight vs preflight, suggesting no bias (i.e., fluid shift, extreme tissue thickening or loss). Pre- and postflight MRI and functional tests showed negligible changes in calf muscle size, power and force, which is likely due to training effects from current inflight exercise protocols.
The MYOTONES experiment is currently ongoing to collect data from further crew members. The potential impact of this research is to better understand the effects of microgravity and countermeasures over the time course of an ISS mission cycle. This will enable exercise countermeasures to be tailored
Effective training requires high muscle forces potentially leading to training-induced injuries. Thus, continuous monitoring and controlling of the loadings applied to the musculoskeletal system along the motion trajectory is required. In this paper, a norm-optimal iterative learning control algorithm for the robot-assisted training is developed. The algorithm aims at minimizing the external knee joint moment, which is commonly used to quantify the loading of the medial compartment. To estimate the external knee joint moment, a musculoskeletal lower extremity model is implemented in OpenSim and coupled with a model of an industrial robot and a force plate mounted at its end-effector. The algorithm is tested in simulation for patients with varus, normal and valgus alignment of the knee. The results show that the algorithm is able to minimize the external knee joint moment in all three cases and converges after less than seven iterations.
Neuromuscular strength training of the leg extensor muscles plays an important role in the rehabilitation and prevention of age and wealth related diseases. In this paper, we focus on the design and implementation of a Cartesian admittance control scheme for isotonic training, i.e. leg extension and flexion against a predefined weight. For preliminary testing and validation of the designed algorithm an experimental research and development platform consisting of an
industrial robot and a force plate mounted at its end-effector has been used. Linear, diagonal and arbitrary two-dimensional motion trajectories with different weights for the leg extension and flexion part are applied. The proposed algorithm is easily adaptable to trajectories consisting of arbitrary six-dimensional poses and allows the implementation of individualized trajectories.
To prevent the reduction of muscle mass and loss of strength coming along with the human aging process, regular training with e.g. a leg press is suitable. However, the risk of training-induced injuries requires the continuous monitoring and controlling of the forces applied to the musculoskeletal system as well as the velocity along the motion trajectory and the range of motion. In this paper, an adaptive norm-optimal iterative learning control algorithm to minimize the knee joint loadings during the leg extension training with an industrial robot is proposed. The response of the algorithm is tested in simulation for patients with varus, normal and valgus alignment of the knee and compared to the results of a higher-order iterative learning control algorithm, a robust iterative learning control and a recently proposed conventional norm-optimal iterative learning control algorithm. Although significant improvements in performance are made compared to the conventional norm-optimal iterative learning control algorithm with a small learning factor, for the developed approach as well as the robust iterative learning control algorithm small steady state errors occur.
Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) patients have persistent functional deficits in the triceps surae muscle–tendon unit (MTU). The complex remodeling of the MTU accompanying these deficits remains poorly understood. The purpose of the present study was to associate in vivo and in silico data to investigate the relations between changes inMTU properties and strength deficits inATR patients. Methods: Elevenmale subjects who had undergone surgical repair of complete unilateral ATR were examined 4.6 ± 2.0 (mean ± SD) yr after rupture. Gastrocnemius medialis (GM) tendon stiffness, morphology, and muscle architecture were determined using ultrasonography. The force–length relation of the plantar flexor muscles was assessed at five ankle joint angles. In addition, simulations (OpenSim) of the GM MTU force–length properties were performed with various iterations of MTU properties found between the unaffected and the affected side. Results: The affected side of the patients displayed a longer, larger, and stiffer GM tendon (13% ± 10%, 105% ± 28%, and 54% ± 24%, respectively) compared with the unaffected side. The GM muscle fascicles of the affected side were shorter (32% ± 12%) and with greater pennation angles (31% ± 26%). A mean deficit in plantarflexion moment of 31% ± 10% was measured. Simulations indicate that pairing an intact muscle with a longer tendon shifts the optimal angular range of peak force outside physiological angular ranges, whereas the shorter muscle fascicles and tendon stiffening seen in the affected side decrease this shift, albeit incompletely. Conclusions: These results suggest that the substantial changes in MTU properties found in ATR patients may partly result from compensatory remodeling, although this process appears insufficient to fully restore muscle function.
Performing tasks, such as running and jumping, requires activation of the agonist and antagonist muscles before (motor unit pre-activation) and during movement performance (Santello and Mcdonagh, 1998). A well-timed and regulated muscle activation elicits a stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) response, naturally occurring in bouncing movements (Ishikawa and Komi, 2004; Taube et al., 2012). By definition, the SSC describes the stretching of a pre-activated muscle-tendon complex immediately followed by a muscle shortening in the concentric push-off phase (Komi, 1984).
Given the importance of SSC actions for human movement, it is not surprising that many studies investigated the biomechanics of this phenomenon; in particular, drop jumps (DJs) represent a good paradigm to study muscle fascicle and tendon behavior in ballistic movements involving the SSC.
Within a DJ, three main phases [pre-activation, braking, and push-off (PO; Komi, 2000)] have been recognized and extensively studied in common and challenging conditions, such as changes in load, falling height, or simulated hypo-gravity (Avela et al., 1994; Arampatzis et al., 2001; Fukashiro et al., 2005; Ishikawa et al., 2005; Sousa et al., 2007; Ritzmann et al., 2016; Helm et al., 2020).
These studies show that the timing and amount of triceps-surae muscle-tendon unit pre-activation in DJs are differentially regulated based on the load applied to the muscle, being optimal in normal “Earth” gravity conditions (Avela et al., 1994), but decreased in simulated hypo-gravity, hyper-gravity (Avela et al., 1994; Ritzmann et al., 2016), or unknown conditions (i.e., unknown falling heights; Helm et al., 2020). Some authors indicated that, when falling from heights different from the optimal one [defined as the drop height giving a maximum DJ performance indicated as peak ground reaction force (GRF) or jump high], electromyographic (EMG) activity of the plantar flexors increases from lower than optimal to higher than optimal heights (Ishikawa and Komi, 2004; Sousa et al., 2007).
These findings highlight the ability of the central nervous system to regulate the timing and amount of pre-activation according to different jumping conditions, thus regulating muscle fascicle length, tendon and joint stiffness as well as position, in order to safely land on the ground and quickly re-bounce.
Similarly, to pre-activation, also in the braking phase, the plantar flexors are differentially regulated. In optimal height (i.e., load) jumping conditions, gastrocnemius medialis (GM) fascicles shorten at early ground contact (possibly due to the intervention of the stretch reflex; Gollhofer et al., 1992) and behave quasi-isometrically in the late braking phase, enabling tendon elongation, and storage of elastic energy (Gollhofer et al., 1992; Fukashiro et al., 2005; Sousa et al., 2007). When increasing the falling height (augmenting the impact GRF), the quasi-isometric behavior of fascicles disappears, and fast fascicle lengthening occurs (Ishikawa et al., 2005; Sousa et al., 2007).
In the third and last PO phase, fascicles shorten and the tendon releases the elastic energy previously stored. Bobbert et al. (1987) reported no influence of jumping height on the work done and on the net vertical impulse assessed during PO; this observation suggests that, despite an optimal DJ performance might be achieved only in specific conditions (falling heights, loads), the central nervous system seems to be able to regulate muscle behavior in order to effectively perform the required task also in challenging situations.
Although the regulation of triceps-surae muscle-tendon unit in DJs has been extensively investigated, very few studies focused on sarcomeres behavior during the performance of this SSC movement (Kurokawa et al., 2003; Fukashiro et al., 2005, 2006). Sarcomeres represent muscle contractile units and are known to express different amounts of force depending on their length (Gordon et al., 1966; Walker and Schrodt, 1974); thus, understanding the time course of their responses during DJs is fundamental to gain further insights into muscle force-generating capacity. In vivo measurement of sarcomere length in humans has been so far been performed only in static positions and under highly controlled experimental conditions (Llewellyn et al., 2008; Sanchez et al., 2015). Instead, human sarcomere length estimation (achieved by dividing GM measured fascicle length for a fixed sarcomere number) in dynamic contractions provided an indirect measure of sarcomere operating range during squat jump, countermovement jump, and DJ (Fukashiro et al., 2005, 2006; Kurokawa et al., 2003). The results of these studies showed that sarcomeres operate in the ascending limb of their length-tension (L-T) relationship in all types of jumps, and particularly so in DJ.
However, most of the available observations on sarcomere and muscle fascicle behavior were made in condition of constant gravity. Thus, in order to understand how sarcomere and muscle fascicle length are regulated in variable gravity conditions, we performed experiments in a parabolic flight, involving variable gravity levels, ranging from about zero-g to about double the Earth’s gravity (1 g; Waldvogel et al., 2021).
Specifically, the aims of the present study were as follows:
1. To investigate the ability of the neuromuscular system in regulating fascicle length in response to conditions of variable gravity.
2. To estimate sarcomere operative length in the different DJ phases, in order to calculate its theoretical force production and its possible modulation in conditions of variable gravity.
We hypothesized that muscle fascicles would be differentially regulated in different gravity conditions compared to 1 g, particularly in anticipation of landing and re-bouncing in unknown gravity levels. In addition, we hypothesized that sarcomeres would operate in the upper part of the ascending limb of their L-T relationship, possibly lengthening during the braking phase (especially in hyper-gravity) while operating quasi-isometrically in 1 g.
The compliant nature of distal limb muscle-tendon units is traditionally considered suboptimal in explosive movements when positive joint work is required. However, during accelerative running, ankle joint net mechanical work is positive. Therefore, this study aims to investigate how plantar flexor muscle-tendon behavior is modulated during fast accelerations. Eleven female sprinters performed maximum sprint accelerations from starting blocks, while gastrocnemius muscle fascicle lengths were estimated using ultrasonography. We combined motion analysis and ground reaction force measurements to assess lower limb joint kinematics and kinetics, and to estimate gastrocnemius muscle-tendon unit length during the first two acceleration steps. Outcome variables were resampled to the stance phase and averaged across three to five trials. Relevant scalars were extracted and analyzed using one-sample and two-sample t-tests, and vector trajectories were compared using statistical parametric mapping. We found that an uncoupling of muscle fascicle behavior from muscle-tendon unit behavior is effectively used to produce net positive mechanical work at the joint during maximum sprint acceleration. Muscle fascicles shortened throughout the first and second steps, while shortening occurred earlier during the first step, where negative joint work was lower compared with the second step. Elastic strain energy may be stored during dorsiflexion after touchdown since fascicles did not lengthen at the same time to dissipate energy. Thus, net positive work generation is accommodated by the reuse of elastic strain energy along with positive gastrocnemius fascicle work. Our results show a mechanism of how muscles with high in-series compliance can contribute to net positive joint work.
This study aims to quantify the kinematics, kinetics and muscular activity of all-out handcycling exercise and examine their alterations during the course of a 15-s sprint test. Twelve able-bodied competitive triathletes performed a 15-s all-out sprint test in a recumbent racing handcycle that was attached to an ergometer. During the sprint test, tangential crank kinetics, 3D joint kinematics and muscular activity of 10 muscles of the upper extremity and trunk were examined using a power metre, motion capturing and surface electromyography (sEMG), respectively. Parameters were compared between revolution one (R1), revolution two (R2), the average of revolution 3 to 13 (R3) and the average of the remaining revolutions (R4). Shoulder abduction and internal-rotation increased, whereas maximal shoulder retroversion decreased during the sprint. Except for the wrist angles, angular velocity increased for every joint of the upper extremity. Several muscles demonstrated an increase in muscular activation, an earlier onset of muscular activation in crank cycle and an increased range of activation. During the course of a 15-s all-out sprint test in handcycling, the shoulder muscles and the muscles associated to the push phase demonstrate indications for short-duration fatigue. These findings are helpful to prevent injuries and improve performance in all-out handcycling.