Dynamics of human movement

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Koopman, Bart (H.F.J.M.)

Affiliations: Department of Biomechanical Engineering, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: The part of (bio)mechanics that studies the interaction of forces on the human skeletal system and its effect on the resulting movement is called rigid body dynamics. Some basic concepts are presented: A mathematical formulation to describe human movement and how this relates on the mechanical loads acting on the skeletal system. These equations of motion depend on the mechanical properties of the skeletal system, such as dimensions and mass distribution. It is applied to describe and analyze human gait.

Keywords: Human movement, rigid body dynamics, gait analysis

DOI: 10.3233/THC-2010-0599

Journal: Technology and Health Care, vol. 18, no. 4-5, pp. 371-385, 2010