Diagnosing human control system capability utilizing bandwidth

WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Shahab Karimi (Creator)
Institution
Western Carolina University (WCU )
Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/
Advisor
Martin Tanaka

Abstract: The methods used to quantify bandwidth for a simple engineering system are well established. However, the application of bandwidth to complex systems like human’s motor control is more challenging. Conceptually, bandwidth is a measure of how capable a system is to respond to a command and stabilize in a shorter time and with less fluctuations. The goal of this research is to develop new diagnostic methods that can be used by medical professionals to assess the degree of neuromuscular disease and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. In this study, ten healthy subjects performed twenty tasks, involving tracking trunk angular position in the sagittal plane. Trials consist of a one-dimensional input signal displayed on a screen. Subjects moved their torso to track the target as it moved. Responses were recorded and MATLAB was used to model and simulate each response. Mathematical modeling utilized a nonlinear least squares method to fit the model to experimental data. The optomized model parameters were validated after data fitting. Models were transformed to frequency domain by using Fourier transforms. The bandwidth of the human neuromuscular system controlling trunk motion in sagittal plane was found to be in the range of 0.35 to 0.85 Hz. Bandwidth may be used as a measurable variable to quantify neuromuscular controller capability.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2016
Keywords
Bandwidth, Dynamics, Human movement, Motor control, Musculoskeletal system, Neuromuscular system
Subjects
Motor ability -- Testing
Neuromuscular diseases -- Treatment

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