Research Areas
The on-going research in the lab is largely experimental
in nature. With the development of experimental apparatus, experiments
are designed and conducted to gather data. Applying system identification
and neuromuscular modeling techniques, the data is analyzed and interpreted
to help deduce underlying neural control strategies.
Development of Experimental
Apparatus
REKLAB benefits from a hydraulic ankle actuator to
gather experimental data, and is continuously enhancing the existing
equipment. New actuators are being developed to study reflex contributions
to upright walking and in the knee joint.
System Identification
New techniques in system identification are being actively
pursued to counter the pressures to increase accuracy and complexity,
incorporate dynamic properties, and to personalize models for individual
subjects. New nonlinear, time-varying multi-input methods that are becoming
more accessible for neuromuscular systems applications will be explored.
Future projects also include the integration of system identification
methods to determine parameter values for a priori neuromuscular modeling.
Experimental Neurophysiology
This area of research concentrates on designing experiments,
gathering data and interpreting evidence to deduce the physiological
control mechanisms and strategies, by applying the system identification
tools. Past and current research questions include:
·
Intrinsic and
reflex stiffness in normal and spastic spinal cord injured subjects
·
Exploring task dependent modulation of reflex stiffness
·
The role of reflex stiffness in upright stance
Neuromuscular Modeling
Recent modeling work (by Tatiana Nikitina) has yielded
a symmetric, agonist-antagonist model that is capable of reproducing
reflex modulation patterns (with operating point and a fixed set of
parameters). This work demonstrates that the known structure of the
peripheral system can produce the observed complex behaviour. The lab
will continue to explore this avenue, incorporating descending commands
from the central nervous system to motoneurons and interneurons that
are selected to optimize different behavioural criteria.
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