Modeling human motion from a neuromechanical perspective: from a generic mechanical model towards a subject-specific cybernetic system.

Principal objective of this interdisciplinary research project is to model human motion from a neuromechanical perspective by combining motion simulations with a neuromechanical model. This leap forward in the area of human motion sciences requires the development of an integrated multidisciplinary methodology which considers the human (i) based on a complete individualised model instead of a scaled generic model, and (ii) as a cybernetic instead of a purely mechanical system. Modelling the human as an individual cybernetic system requires developments for the individualisation of the classical dynamic model and the definition, individualisation and integration in the motion simulations of a neuromechanical model. Such subject-specific, cybernetic simulations allows us to determine in a quentitative way the causal relationship between neural and mechanical factors on the one hand and the resulting gait on the other hand.

Keywords:Human motion, Gait, Neuromechanical model, Subject-specific, Individualised, Cybernetics, Motion simulation

Disciplines:Control systems, robotics and automation, Design theories and methods, Mechatronics and robotics, Computer theory, Multimedia processing, Biological system engineering, Signal processing, Orthopaedics, Human movement and sports sciences, Rehabilitation sciences, Biomechanics