Search Results

This paper describes postural behaviour in static gazing sidewards. The results show that the head (supported by underlying segments) contributes at a particular rate to get the gaze onto target. This rate is reduced in the case that postural constraints are present, i.e., restricted ranges of motion of the pelvis (in sitting) and the chest (due to fixed hand positions), suggesting that postural behaviour is guided by some sort of musculoskeletal load sharing.

This paper describes postural behaviour in static reaching sidewards, and the role of the trunk in particular. It turned out that the trunk (chest, pelvis) is not involved when reaching sidewards up to roughly 40-50° (depending on the reach distance). At greater angles the arm, the chest, and the pelvis each contribute at a particular rate to get the index finger onto target. These rates are reasonably similar to the average contributions of the arm, chest, and pelvis to the total of the range of motions of the arm, chest, and pelvis, suggesting that these segments share the musculoskeletal load equally.

The Boeing McDonnell Douglas Human Modelling System was evaluated in two experiments. One involving fit of manikins to actaul body scans and conventional data, and the other comparing manikin reach envelopes with human data. Systematic deviations in proportions were found, such as overestimation of sitting height and underestimation of sitting depth and hip width. Reach envelopes were roughly of the correct size, but somewhat displaced, which was traced back to erroneous shift of the shoulder joint. It is concluded that proportions, shoulder joint and lack of compression of soft tissue created undesirable deviations.