Effects of head supported mass on predicted neck musculoskeletal loadings during walking and running

Xianlian Zhou, Xinyu Chen, Paulien E. Roos, Phillip Whitley

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate how muscle activation and intervertebral compressive forces during walking and running are altered with different head supported mass (HSM) types. A detailed neck musculoskeletal model was adapted and simulations were performed using existing motion data. It was found HSM wear required increased muscle activations, with the highest increase in running. Extensor activation increased particularly for the HSM with its center of mass (COM) in front of the head’s COM and flexor activation was significantly higher in running than in walking. Intervertebral compressive forces increased with HSM wear and the heaviest HSM caused the highest increase. During walking, the computed maximum compressive force at C7 was 129.7N without an HSM, and 163.6N and 208.5N with HSMs with a mass of 1.43 kg and 3.12 kg respectively. For running, it was 275.7N without an HSM, and 349.1N and 451.2N with the two HSM types. Overall muscle contributions to the compressive force varied over the gait cycle and were higher in running (26-110%) than in walking (18-58%). It was concluded that neck musculoskeletal loading increases with HSM wear, which is affected by HSM mass and mass distribution.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication39th Computers and Information in Engineering Conference
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
ISBN (Electronic)9780791859179
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019
EventASME 2019 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, IDETC-CIE 2019 - Anaheim, United States
Duration: Aug 18 2019Aug 21 2019

Publication series

NameProceedings of the ASME Design Engineering Technical Conference
Volume1

Conference

ConferenceASME 2019 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, IDETC-CIE 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAnaheim
Period8/18/198/21/19

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Modeling and Simulation

Keywords

  • Head supported mass
  • Musculoskeletal model
  • Neck
  • Walking and running

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