title: A computer simulation of muscle-tendon mechanics.
abstract: A computer simulation program was developed to study and illustrate the complex interactions that exist between muscle structure, neural activation, and mechanical characteristics. The software incorporates equations inherent in a comprehensive muscle-tendon model. The software provides a multi-menu interface allowing the user to easily alter quantities related to muscle architecture, kinematics, and activation level. Five different simulations may be performed and graphically displayed including: force-length, force-velocity, force-activation, force-time, and muscle vs tendon length. Up to three different muscle design/contraction condition combinations can be displayed simultaneously for each simulation. Sample simulation results illustrating the mechanical behavior of muscles with different structures are presented.
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Biomechanics Laboratory 53706.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Hull
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D009132:Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D012984:Software; D013710:Tendons / Q000502:physiology*