A new simple local muscle recovery model and its theoretical and experimental validation

Abstract

This study was conducted to provide theoretical and experimental validation of a local muscle recovery model. Muscle recovery has been modeled in different empirical and theoretical approaches to determine work-rest allowance for musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) prevention. However, time-related parameters and individual attributes have not been sufficiently considered in conventional approaches. A new muscle recovery model was proposed by integrating time-related task parameters and individual attributes. Theoretically, this muscle recovery model was compared to other theoretical models mathematically. Experimentally, a total of 20 subjects participated in the experimental validation. Hand grip force recovery and shoulder joint strength recovery were measured after a fatiguing operation. The recovery profile was fitted by using the recovery model, and individual recovery rates were calculated as well after fitting. Good fitting values (r² > .8) were found for all the subjects. Significant differences in recovery rates were found among different muscle groups (p < .05). The theoretical muscle recovery model was primarily validated by characterization of the recovery process after fatiguing operation. The determined recovery rate may be useful to represent individual recovery attribute.

Keywords:

• muscle recovery
• muscle recovery model
• validation
• electromyography

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to address our special thanks to all of the subjects in the experiment from Foxconn Technology Group (Yantai, China).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC, Grant Number 71101079). This study was also supported by Tsinghua University Initiative Scientific Research Program under Grant Number: 20131089234.