Maximum elbow joint torques for digital human models

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.