Article: Maximum elbow joint torques for digital human models Journal: International Journal of Human Factors Modelling and Simulation (IJHFMS) 2012 Vol.3 No.2 pp.109 - 132 Abstract: This paper investigates isometric elbow flexion, extension, pronation, and supination joint torque curves as a function of elbow flexion, shoulder flexion, and forearm rotation. Numerous authors have already examined elbow joint torque functions. However, previous studies either consist of only small samples, use high sample sizes but consider only one measurement posture or look only at single degrees of freedom. In this study, 20 young males were used while taking into account all necessary biomechanical aspects. The results show that increasing shoulder flexion leads to decreasing elbow flexion as well as elbow extension joint torques. In contrast to extension, flexion torques are significantly influenced by forearm rotation. Pronation and supination joint torques depend on shoulder flexion, while only pronation torque is influenced by elbow flexion. For all strength curves regression equations are given in order to be implemented in digital human models. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Maximum elbow joint torques for digital human models

Authors: F. Guenzkofer; Heiner Bubb; Klaus Bengler

Addresses: Lehrstuhl für Ergonomie, Technische Universität München, Boltzmannstraße 15, D – 85747 Garching, Germany ' Lehrstuhl für Ergonomie, Technische Universität München, Boltzmannstraße 15, D – 85747 Garching, Germany ' Lehrstuhl für Ergonomie, Technische Universität München, Boltzmannstraße 15, D – 85747 Garching, Germany

Abstract: This paper investigates isometric elbow flexion, extension, pronation, and supination joint torque curves as a function of elbow flexion, shoulder flexion, and forearm rotation. Numerous authors have already examined elbow joint torque functions. However, previous studies either consist of only small samples, use high sample sizes but consider only one measurement posture or look only at single degrees of freedom. In this study, 20 young males were used while taking into account all necessary biomechanical aspects. The results show that increasing shoulder flexion leads to decreasing elbow flexion as well as elbow extension joint torques. In contrast to extension, flexion torques are significantly influenced by forearm rotation. Pronation and supination joint torques depend on shoulder flexion, while only pronation torque is influenced by elbow flexion. For all strength curves regression equations are given in order to be implemented in digital human models.

Keywords: elbow joint torque; physical capacity; digital human models; digital human modelling; DHM; functional data; force; ergonomics; biomechanics; muscle; isometric torque measurement; strength prediction; shoulder flexion; forearm rotation; elbow extension; elbow flexion; elbow pronation; elbow supination.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHFMS.2012.051092

International Journal of Human Factors Modelling and Simulation, 2012 Vol.3 No.2, pp.109 - 132

Received: 30 Dec 2011
Accepted: 20 Apr 2012
Published online: 29 Aug 2014 *

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Title: Maximum elbow joint torques for digital human models

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