simtk.org

Hello,

I am a student doing some research and am relatively new to the Biomechanics field. I have been using OpenSim for a few weeks now and trying to learn about the given models.
I've been looking through some of the publications about how the kinematics within OpenSim are defined(for the upper and lower extremity models) but I'm looking for a little more information to further understand how the models are validated.

Specifically, how does OpenSim handle different pathologies? If the model of the uppper extremity is of the 50th percentile male, does it accommodate for a body outside of that assumption?

I am eager to learn and any information would be a great asset. Does anyone recommend any journals that may help with my questions? Or able to direct me to more resources?

Thanks,

Hi Luke,

OpenSim is just a tool to enable users/researchers to create and analyze models. It's up to the model author to validate his/her model based on how it's going to be used (e.g. our gait2392 is good for most gait studies but it does not model the arms and the model of the back in it is very simplified).

For the models that we distribute that are used in research/publications the model file (.osim) contains a list of publications that detail how the model was constructed/validated. Usually this's done by comparing quantities that you can compute in the software (e.g. moments, moment arms, controls etc.) against studies that measure the same quantities experimentally.

To make a model fit a specific subject/experimental data, we use the Scale Tool. Please consult the user guide regarding how scaling is done and let us know if you continue to have questions.

Best regards,
-Ayman