MAE 520 Movement Dynamics

3 Credit Hours

Topics in movement biomechanics and computational analyses of movement, including muscle physiology and mechanics, advanced muscle modeling, neural control of muscle and motor control theories, and dynamic simulation and optimization. Discussion of fundamental research underpinnings and clinical and sports applications.

Prerequisite

Undergraduate dynamics (MAE 208) with a grade of C or better (or equivalent for graduate students). Familiarity with differential equations, spring-mass-damper systems encouraged.

Course Objectives

By the end of the semester, the students will be able to:

1) Describe the biological, mechanical, and neurological aspects of how muscles produce movement
2) Identify the engineering tools that are used to study movement, explain their function, and analyze data
3) Create and solve engineering models of human movement analytically and computationally
4) MAE 420: Explain a biomechanics application in a chosen topic area and relate to the concepts in this class.
OR
4) MAE 520: Synthesize existing literature on a chosen topic area and propose new research to fill an existing gap.

Course Requirements

Exams
There will be two (2) midterm tests. These tests will be timed, using the resources designated in class, including equation sheets provided by the instructor.

Homework Assignments
There are analytical and modeling assignments due periodically throughout the semester and form the bulk of the content in this course. They will involve computational aspects, literature review, analytical derivations, and synthesis. Detailed descriptions are available below. These require substantial time investment. Do not wait to begin. Late completion will not be accepted.
Research project
Students will be required to perform a literature review and design an experimental method. Final report and presentation will be required.

Course Outline

Tentative outline
Module 1: Locomotion and Simple models
1 Introduction
2 Principles of locomotion
3 Simple Models
Module 2: MSK mechanics/modeling
4 Muscle structure and biology
5 Muscle mechanics
6 Muscle architecture
7 History of muscle models
8 Musculoskeletal geometry
Module 3: Other tissues and adaptation
9 Neuromuscular structures
10 Musculoskeletal tissues
11 Adaptation
Review
Exam 1
Module 4: Experimental methods
12 Principles of research design
13 Anatomy and imaging
14 MSK modeling – GL – MD
15 Motion capture
16 Inverse kinematics
17 Inverse dynamics
18 Joint work and power
Module 5: Control and analysis
19 Motor control strategies
20 Neural interfaces
21 Forward dynamics and optimization
22 Analysis
23 Clinical Applications
24 Sports Applications
Review
Exam 2
Final reports/projects

Textbooks

Optional: Uchida T.K. and Delp, S.L., Biomechanics of Movement: The Science of Sports, Robotics, and Rehabilitation. Readings from the textbook align with the lecture material and example problems, and the textbook is a resource for additional practice problems and explanations beyond that provided in class.

Software Requirements

Moodle: http://wolfware.ncsu.edu, Matlab (https://it.engr.ncsu.edu/software/catalog/matlab/, prior familiarity recommended), and OpenSim (opensource software, no prior familiarity expected).

Created: 4/16/2024