Control of the Human Forearm during Abrupt Acceleration,
Abstract
The paper describes research aimed toward the development of a useful mathematical model of the human forearm including the musculature and its neural control. The goals are to provide quantitative bases for both diagnosis and monitoring of therapy in a variety of neuromuscular disease states, and also to improve current understanding of the basic physiological systems involved. Three types of experiments designed to evaluate the parameters in the model have been performed on human subjects. The first, a series of static tests, demonstrates on the basis of the principles of structural mechanics that averaged electromyogram amplitude is directly related to muscle contractile force. The second experiment, a set of constant velocity tests, independently evaluates these same parameters, as well as a damping coefficient. The results show that damping is small. The third, a series of quick release tests, evaluates the control parameters in the model. Results indicate that velocity control is much less important for present experimental conditions than direct proportional control. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0740463
Entities
People
- H. Litchman
- J. Duffy
- J. Soechting
- P. A. Stewart
- P. R. Paslay
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory