An integrative approach to the biomechanical function and neuromuscular control of the fingers

The use of flexible arm muscle synergies to perform an isometric stabilization task

“…The co-contraction modes may have helped improve performance by stiffening the joints, which is known to help resist perturbations (Gribble et al, 2003) or may be used as a strategy to reach sections of 'feasible' joint torque space which cannot be done by action of a single muscle alone (Valero-Cuevas, 2005). Co-contraction patterns have been seen in individuals with Down's syndrome (Aruin and Almeida, 1997), elderly subjects, and persons with neurological disorders (Woollacott et al, 1988;Woollacott and Burtner, 1996).…”

Towards a Realistic and Self-Contained Biomechanical Model of the Hand

“…These too are quantitative analyses performed on dynamic models. Recent models do not differ much from the ones developed before 2000 (Fok & Chou, 2010;Kamper et al, 2006;Kurita et al, 2009;Lee et al, 2008aLee et al, , 2008bQiu et al, 2009;Roloff et al, 2006;Sancho-Bru et al, 2001, 2003a, 2003b, 2008Valero-Cuevas, 2000;Valero-Cuevas et al, 2000, 2005Vigouroux et al, 2006Vigouroux et al, , 2008Wu et al, 2010). All models present a similar configuration.…”

“…By the year 2000, few threedimensional models had been developed (Biryukova & Yourovskaya, 1994;Casolo & Lorenzi, 1994;Chao et al, 1976;Chao & An, 1978;Esteki & Mansour, 1997;Mansour et al, 1994;ValeroCuevas et al, 1998), and none of them modelled the complete hand. Since 2000, many three-dimensional biomechanical models can be found in literature, having been developed for very different purposes (Fok & Chou, 2010;Kamper et al, 2006;Kurita et al, 2009;Lee et al, 2008aLee et al, , 2008bQiu et al, 2009;Roloff et al, 2006;Sancho-Bru et al, 2001, 2003a, 2003b, 2008Valero-Cuevas, 2000;Valero-Cuevas et al, 2000, 2005Vigouroux et al, 2006Vigouroux et al, , 2008Wu et al, 2010): to understand the role of the different anatomical elements, to understand the causes and effects of pathologies, to simulate neuromuscular abnormalities, to plan rehabilitation, to simulate tendon transfer and joint replacement surgeries, to analyse the energetics of human movement and athletic performance, to design prosthetics and biomedical implants, to design functional electric stimulation controllers, to name a few. These models, however, do not differ much from the ones developed before 2000, and many limitations are still evident.…”

Scalability of the Muscular Action in a Parametric 3D Model of the Index Finger

“…where PCSA is the muscle physiological cross-sectional area, S max is the maximum stress the muscle can bear, which has been considered to be the same for each muscle, 2 α is the muscle activation level, F l CE and F v CE are the CE non-dimensional force-length and force-velocity relationships, and F l PEE is the PEE force-length relationship (see previous work 16 for more details).…”

“…1,3,6,8,[10][11][12][13]15,16 For some purposes it is important to represent different population groups and percentiles, e.g., to aid therapists in the selection of the optimal handle diameter of personalised assistive devices for disabled people.…”