The importance of accurate muscle modelling for biomechanical analyses: A case study with a lizard skull

Gröning, Flora; Jones, Marc E.H.; Curtis, Neil; Herrel, Anthony; O'Higgins, Paul; Evans, Susan E.; Fagan, Michael J.

Abstract

Computer-based simulation techniques such as multi-body dynamics analysis are becoming increasingly popular in the field of skull mechanics. Multi-body models can be used for studying the relationships between skull architecture, muscle morphology and feeding performance. However, to be confident in the modelling results, models need to be validated against experimental data, and the effects of uncertainties or inaccuracies in the chosen model attributes need to be assessed with sensitivity analyses. Here, we compare the bite forces predicted by a multi-body model of a lizard (Tupinambis merianae) with in vivo measurements, using anatomical data collected from the same specimen. This subject-specific model predicts bite forces that are very close to the in vivo measurements and also shows a consistent increase in bite force as the bite position is moved posteriorly on the jaw. However, the model is very sensitive to changes in muscle attributes such as fibre length, intrinsic muscle strength and force orientation, with bite force predictions varying considerably when these three variables are altered. We conclude that accurate muscle measurements are crucial to building realistic multi-body models and that subject-specific data should be used whenever possible. © 2013 The Authors. Published by the Royal Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.

Citation

Gröning, F., Jones, M. E., Curtis, N., Herrel, A., O'Higgins, P., Evans, S. E., & Fagan, M. J. (2013). The importance of accurate muscle modelling for biomechanical analyses: A case study with a lizard skull. Journal of the Royal Society interface / the Royal Society, 10(84), Article 20130216. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2013.0216

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 2, 2013
• Online Publication Date: Jul 6, 2013
• Publication Date: Jul 6, 2013
• Deposit Date: Apr 1, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 12, 2022
• Journal: Journal of the Royal Society Interface
• Print ISSN: 1742-5689
• Publisher: The Royal Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 84
• Article Number: 20130216
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2013.0216
• Keywords: Skull; Feeding; Bite force; Validation; Tupinambis; Multi-body dynamics analysis
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/533496