A Novel Passive Movement Method for Parameter Estimation of a Musculoskeletal Arm Model Incorporating a Modified Hill Muscle Model

In this paper we present a method of parameterising a two muscle arm model incorporating a structurally identifiable modified Hill muscle model. Length and moment of inertia values were obtained by direct measurement and calculation. Spring and damping parameters in the model were determined by parameter estimation from experiments using passive flexion and extension movements. The results showed good agreement between measured and simulated data with consistent parameter values across subjects. Adding a hand load improved the agreement by reducing errors resulting from body segment geometry assumptions.