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Identification of time-varying human joint dynamics

In order to develop a comprehensive model of the motor control system the time-varying nature of joint dynamics must be addressed. However, it has not previously been possible to quantitatively observe changes in joint dynamics during a transition of state. In this work, a recently developed method for identification of linear time-varying dynamic systems from ensemble data has been used to obtain models of neuromuscular dynamics during a rapid contraction. The method, based on singular value decomposition, provides a series of nonparametric (impulse response function) models of a system's dynamics without a priori knowledge of its dynamic structure or time-variation, thus enabling study of the neuromuscular system during natural activity. / Application of this method to simulated and experimental data has shown it to be robust and accurate. Ankle dynamics have been tracked during voluntary isometric contraction of triceps surae, revealing behaviour more complex than second-order, characterized by a decrease in the joint's resistance to low frequency perturbations.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.59654
Date January 1990
CreatorsMacNeil, Jon Bart
PublisherMcGill University
Source SetsLibrary and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation
Formatapplication/pdf
CoverageMaster of Engineering (Department of Mechanical Engineering.)
RightsAll items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated.
Relationalephsysno: 001170251, proquestno: AAIMM66400, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest.

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