Modeling muscle's nonlinear viscoelastic dynamics

Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2014:2014:828-31. doi: 10.1109/EMBC.2014.6943719.

Abstract

Muscle's contractile properties are complicated by its viscoelastic properties. Failure of early viscoelastic muscle models led to Hill's force-velocity relation embodied as the contractile element. Adopting a particular force-velocity relation to describe muscle is neither easy, nor unique [1]. Time-varying elastance based models of the left ventricle have been popular since the idea was presented in 1969 [2]. This paper investigates adoption of the time-varying elastance concept to describe the viscoelastic properties of muscle. It will be shown that a time-varying elastance must be extended to a time, length, and velocity dependent elastance. Results show how a generalized force generator description of muscle [3] may be used to realistically model muscle's viscoelasticity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cats
  • Elasticity
  • Models, Biological*
  • Muscle Contraction / physiology*
  • Nonlinear Dynamics*
  • Papillary Muscles / physiology*
  • Rabbits
  • Viscosity