What is THUMS?

Why this research was done
Although muscle activity can be measured using electromyography (EMG), this method is limited to a small number of muscles on the body surface. Muscles involved in spinal movements, such as the flexion and extension of the head and neck are located deep within the body, making it challenging to measure their activity and placing a significant burden on study participants during experiments.
Conversely, predicting muscle activity through simulation using a human body model is useful for understanding the mechanisms underlying the development of DHS and the effects of rehabilitation. Recent advances in the construction of human body models using computer simulations and finite element (FE) analysis have enabled a detailed analysis of the complex dynamics of the musculoskeletal system. This study aimed to determine the effect of individual muscle activities on the maintenance of an upright posture using a human body FE model to elucidate the mechanism underlying the onset of symptoms related to spinal asymmetry.