Abstract des Autors

This paper addresses the state-of-the-art of muscle modelling, from the perspective of a systems bioscientist interested in multi-joint movement coordination involving many muscles. Principles underlying model design are developed. Both extrafusal and intrafusal muscle tissue properties are considered, and a muscle-reflex actuator is developed that results in improved model performance for studies of postural coordination. Areas where more knowledge is needed are emphasized; most pressing are data that could help refine assumptions for scaling muscle properties with submaximal excitation. The benefits of explicitly modelling nonlinear muscle properties are described, especially for studies of multi-joint coordination in larger-scale, redundant systems. Verf.-Referat