Effects of different unstable supports on EMG activity and balance
This study analysed the equilibrium strategies and EMG activity during postural equilibrium in four different unstable surfaces. Thirteen team sport males were tested on a FLAT surface and on three different wobble boards (JAKOBS(®) with easy multidirectional displacements, FREEMAN with strong multidirectional displacements and LATERAL with unidirectional lateral displacements). They had to maintain single-limb stance during 5s for each condition. The right foot centre of pressure (COP) position and its variability with concomitant EMG activity of soleus (SOL), tibialis anterior (TA), peroneus longus (PL) and extensor digitorum longus (EXD) muscles were recorded. Subjects maintained balance…
Validation of a subject specific 3-actuator torque-driven model in human vertical jumping.
In this study, a forward dynamic subject specific 3-actuator torque-driven model of the human musculoskeletal system was created based on measurements of individual characteristics of a subject. Simulation results were compared with experimental vertical squat jumping with and without adding weights. By analyzing kinematic and kinetic experimental data at the instant of the toe-off for the same initial conditions, it was shown that a simple computer simulation using a suitable cost function could reproduce the real task performed by humans. This investigation is the first step in a wider project that will incorporate elastic components, and that will evaluate the advantages of the individua…