last modified 23/02/2006

Coursecode: wb2407
Coursename: Human movement control

ECTS creditpoints: 4

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Marine Technology

Lecturer(s): Helm, prof. dr. F.C.T. van der

Tel.: 015-27 85616

Catalog data:
Biomechanics, biophysics, biomedical engineering, human movement control, motion recording, robotics, musculoskeletal systems.

Course year: MSc 1st year
Semester: 1A / 1B
Hours p/w: 2
Other hours: -
Assessment: Written
Assessm.period(s):
(see academic calendar)

Prerequisites: wb2204, wb2302

Follow up: -

Detailed description of topics:
1. Introduction, joints, ligaments, muscles. 2. Three-dimensional motion description, Euler angles, helical axis. 3. 3-D motion recording. 4. Muscle properties, muscle models. 5. Musculo skeletal models, parameters, EM6-recordings. 6. Inverse dynamics, forward dynamics, optimization. 7. Motion control, stabilization. 8.'Equilibrium point' hypothesis. 9. Internal representation, adaptive model reference control. 10. Propriocepsis, muscle spindles, Golgi tendon organs. 11. A-reflexive muscles, reflexive muscles, neural transmission delays. 12. Muscle stiffness, joint stiffness, stabilization. 13. Applications tot the human arm, shoulder and elbow. 14. Artificial neural networks as a model of the central nervous system. 15. Comparison with robotics.

Course material:
Reader (in preparation): Human movement control. Scientific papers handed out during the course.

References from literature:

Remarks (specific information about assesment, entry requirements, etc.):

Goals:
The student must be able to:

1.      describe the basic anatomy and physiology of components of the neuromuscular system

a)      describe basic biomechanics of biological tissues

b)      describe the physiology of force generation in muscles

c)      describe the anatomy and physiology of the important sensor systems in the neuromuscular system

d)      describe the structure and functioning of the Central Nervous System

2.      understand the system theoretical approach and control principles of the human control of his/her motions

a)      explain the most appropriate way to describe three-dimensional motions of human beings

b)      identify on a detailed level the relevant dynamic characteristics of human sensor systems (auditory, tactile, visual, vestibulary systems), muscles and the central nervous system

c)      explain the components of the neuromuscular control system from a control engineering perspective

3.      make a Problem Analysis of a given assignment in the field of a human motion control

a)      select appropriate measurement techniques for motion recording

b)      derive motions equations of a part of the human body, build a simulation model and answer biomechanical questions using simulations

c)      apply musculoskeletal models to analyse the properties of muscles needed for specified tasks

d)      identify the contribution of feedforward and feedback mechanisms in the Central Nervous System for the generation of motions

e)      apply control engineering techniques to assess the dynamics and (in)stability of the neuromuscular system, including the effect of nested feedback loops and time-delays.

f)        identify the interrelation between intrinsic muscle visco-elasticity and reflexive position, velocity and force feedback.

g)      apply the models to solve biomechanical questions related to the upper and lower extremities, the eye, etc.

Computer use:
A few homework tasks.

Laboratory project(s):

Design content:

Percentage of design: