A computer-graphics model of muscle activation and contraction dynamics

Abstract

An interactive computer‐graphics model of the mechanical interaction between the structural components of a Hill‐type muscle model is presented. The model allows the length, velocity, and force in the contractile component, parallel elastic component, and series elastic of a generic (normalised) muscle‐tendon complex to be computed from input defining instantaneous muscle stimulation and muscle‐tendon length. By altering model inputs and model parameter values the user can observe corresponding model behaviour in schematic and graphical form. In this paper a general description of the model is provided together with examples of how the model can be used to simulate different contractile conditions. It is intended that the model will serve as a useful tool for demonstrating the behaviour of Hill‐type muscle models.