Muscle Force Prediction in OpenSim Using Skeleton Motion Optimization Results As Input Data

This paper describes an integrated approach to predict human leg and spine muscle forces during lifting by integration of a predictive skeletal model with OpenSim. The two-dimensional (2D) skeletal lifting motion is first predicted by using an inverse dynamics optimization method. Then, the prediction outputs, including joint angle profiles, ground reaction forces, and center of pressure, are incorporated in OpenSim biomechanics software to analyze muscle forces for lifting. Therefore, the integrated approach has predictive capability on musculoskeletal level. By using this method, we can predict and analyze muscles forces for heavy weight lifting motion which is difficult to simulate directly using a 3D musculoskeletal model.