This module provides an in-depth understanding of the principles and techniques used to analyse and simulate human movement. Students will learn to collect and interpret biomechanical data, create and validate musculoskeletal models, and apply ethical standards in data management to enhance health and performance outcomes.
Introduction to Musculoskeletal Measurement & Modelling: Importance of musculoskeletal measurement and modelling in health and performance. Musculoskeletal dynamics and muscle-tendon unit mechanics.
Biomechanical Data Collection: Types of motion capture technologies (e.g., optical, inertial). Data collection protocols and procedures. Limitations and challenges (e.g., marker placement errors, soft tissue artifacts). Ethical considerations and best practices for data collection, use and management. Professional standards and guidelines.
Musculoskeletal Simulation: Introduction to musculoskeletal modelling software (e.g., OpenSim). Steps to create musculoskeletal simulations. Prediction of muscle forces, joint loads, and movement patterns. Importance of and techniques for validating models against experimental data.
Analysis of Musculoskeletal Health and Performance: Use motion capture and force plate data for assessing joint angles, velocities, accelerations and muscle force production for real-world applications (e.g. in clinical and sports settings).
Simulation of Physiological and Pathological Conditions: Modelling various physiological conditions (e.g., normal gait, running). Simulating pathological conditions (e.g., osteoarthritis, muscle weakness). Designing and assessing interventions based on simulations.
