Study of Human Upper Arm Girth during Elbow Isokinetic Contractions Based on a Smart Circumferential Measuring System

Authors: Xi Wang, Xiaoming Tao, Raymond C. H. So

Abstract:

As one of the convenient and noninvasive sensing approaches, the automatic limb girth measurement has been applied to detect intention behind human motion from muscle deformation. The sensing validity has been elaborated by preliminary researches but still need more fundamental studies, especially on kinetic contraction modes. Based on the novel fabric strain sensors, a soft and smart limb girth measurement system was developed by the authors’ group, which can measure the limb girth in-motion. Experiments were carried out on elbow isometric flexion and elbow isokinetic flexion (biceps’ isokinetic contractions) of 90°/s, 60°/s, and 120°/s for 10 subjects (2 canoeists and 8 ordinary people). After removal of natural circumferential increments due to elbow position, the joint torque is found not uniformly sensitive to the limb circumferential strains, but declining as elbow joint angle rises, regardless of the angular speed. Moreover, the maximum joint torque was found as an exponential function of the joint’s angular speed. This research highly contributes to the application of the automatic limb girth measuring during kinetic contractions, and it is useful to predict the contraction level of voluntary skeletal muscles.

Keywords: Fabric strain sensor, muscle deformation, isokinetic contraction, joint torque, limb girth strain.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1110513

References:

[1] Nawab, S. H., S. S. Chang, and C. J. De Luca, High-yield decomposition of surface EMG signals. Clin Neurophysiol, 2010. 121(10): p. 1602-15.
[2] Liu, P., et al., Influence of joint angle on EMG-torque model during constant-posture, quasi-constant-torque contractions. J Electromyogr Kinesiol, 2013. 23(5): p. 1020-8.
[3] Guo, J. Y., et al., Continuous monitoring of electromyography (EMG), mechanomyography (MMG), sonomyography (SMG) and torque output during ramp and step isometric contractions. Med Eng Phys, 2010. 32(9): p. 1032-42.
[4] Shi, J., et al., Continuous monitoring of sonomyography, electromyography and torque generated by normal upper arm muscles during isometric contraction: Sonomyography assessment for arm muscles. IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, 2008. 55(3): p. 1191-1198.
[5] Yasojima, T., et al., Differences in EMG activity in scapular plane abduction under variable arm positions and loading conditions. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 2008. 40(4): p. 716-21.
[6] Garner, B. A. and M. G. Pandy, Estimation of Musculotendon Properties in the Human Upper Limb. Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 2003. 31(2): p. 207-220.
[7] Clancy, E. A., et al., Identification of constant-posture EMG-torque relationship about the elbow using nonlinear dynamic models. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng, 2012. 59(1): p. 205-12.
[8] Sartori, M., et al., EMG-driven forward-dynamic estimation of muscle force and joint moment about multiple degrees of freedom in the human lower extremity. PLoS One, 2012. 7(12): p. e52618.
[9] Kim, W. S., et al., Development of a muscle circumference sensor to estimate torque of the human elbow joint. Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, 2014. 208: p. 95-103.
[10] Cochrane, C., M. Lewandowski, and V. Koncar, A flexible strain sensor based on a Conductive Polymer Composite for in situ measurement of parachute canopy deformation. Sensors (Basel), 2010. 10(9): p. 8291- 303.
[11] Mattmann, C., F. Clemens, and G. Tröster, Sensor for Measuring Strain in Textile. Sensors, 2008. 8(6): p. 3719-3732.
[12] Wang, Y. Y., et al., Novel fabric pressure sensors: design, fabrication, and characterization. Smart Materials & Structures, 2011. 20(6).
[13] Yi, W., et al., Investigation of carbon black/silicone elastomer/dimethylsilicone oil composites for flexible strain sensors. Polymer Testing, 2012. 31(5): p. 677-684.
[14] Dejnabadi, H., B. M. Jolles, and K. Aminian, A new approach to accurate measurement of uniaxial joint angles based on a combination of accelerometers and gyroscopes. Biomedical Engineering, IEEE Transactions on, 2005. 52(8): p. 1478-1484.
[15] Doheny, E. P., et al., Effect of elbow joint angle on force-EMG relationships in human elbow flexor and extensor muscles. J Electromyogr Kinesiol, 2008. 18(5): p. 760-70.