Development of the Biomechanical Technologies for the Modeling of Major Segments of the Human Body: Linking the Past with the Present

Abstract

The knowledge of human body proportions and segmental properties of limbs, head and trunk is of fundamental importance in biomechanical research. Given that many methods are employed, it is important to know which ones are currently available, which data on human body masses, lengths, center of mass (COM) location, weights and moment of inertia (MOI) are available and which methods are most suitable for specific research purposes. Graphical, optical, x-ray and derived techniques, MRI, laser, thermography, has been employed for in-vivo measurement, while direct measurements involve cadaveric studies with dissection and various methods of acquiring shape and size of body segments. The present review examines the literature concerning human body segments’ properties for biomechanical purposes starting with a historical examination. It emerges that data obtained in studies on cadaveric specimens are still accurate in comparison to more recent technologies, whilst technological tools currently available are manifolds, each one with proper advantages and disadvantages. Classical studies were focused mainly on white men, while in recent years, the available data on body segments have been extended to children, women, and other races. Additionally, data on special populations (obese, pregnant women) are starting to appear in the scientific literature.

Ergonomic guidelines for the design interfaces of additive modules for manual wheelchairs: sagittal plane

“…For comparison, the average distance Δvalues for the AoA and AoC areas were 140 mm and 98 mm, respectively. The phenomenon of such differences in the lengths of the confidence intervals in individual areas is the effect of a different number of kinematic chains body segments 32 , 33 used during their determination. In the case of the AoR area, significant differences between the mean value of the area and its dimensions taking into account the confidence interval result from the share of the trunk in the kinematic chain used.…”