Musculoskeletal
modeling and
simulation
Fundamentals of Biomechanics
Nguyen Bao An - 2252051
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CONTENTS
1 Overview of the Musculoskeletal System
2 Tools and Techniques for simulating human movement
3 Applications of Musculoskeletal Simulation
4 Q&A
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Overview of the
Musculoskeletal System
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Musculoskeletal System
The musculoskeletal system
provides support and shape to
the body, enables movement
through muscle contraction
and joint flexibility, protects
vital organs.
This system plays a huge role in
maintaining physical integrity
and mobility.
Musculoskeletal System. (n.d.). Foundation Health Osteopathy. https://foundationhealth.com.au/musculoskeletal-system/ 4
Musculoskeletal system. (2023, November 3). Kenhub. https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/the-musculoskeletal-system
Musculoskeletal System
Consist of
Skeletal structure
Bone tissue provides structural
support and protects vital organs.
Joints act as the meeting point
between bones, facilitating
movement and flexibility.
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Insync Health Clinic. (2022, March 4). Musculoskeletal | Insync Health Clinic. https://insynchealth.com.au/naturopath/musculoskeletal/
Musculoskeletal System
Consist of
Muscular system
Cardiac muscle, which forms the
muscular layer of the heart.
Smooth muscle, which comprises
the walls of blood vessels and hollow
organs.
Skeletal muscle, which attaches to
the bones and provides voluntary
movement.
Musculoskeletal system. (2023, November 3). Kenhub. https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/the-musculoskeletal-system 6
Musculoskeletal System
Consist of
Soft tissues
Ligaments connect bones to each
other at joints, providing stability.
Tendons connect muscles to bones,
allowing for joint motion.
Cartilage provides congruence to
the articulating bones, allows them
to bear weight and glide over with
very little friction.
Musculoskeletal system. (2023, November 3). Kenhub. https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/the-musculoskeletal-system 7
Professional, C. C. M. (2025, March 19). Skeletal system (Musculoskeletal system). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21048-skeletal-system
Tools and Techniques for
simulating human movement
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Musculoskeletal Modeling
A musculoskeletal model consists of a mechanical
description of bones, muscles, and joints and is most
frequently applied to estimate the internal forces
(muscle and joint reaction forces) from information
about the movement and external forces.
Muscle elements are shown in pink with skeletal
elements in yellow-brown.
The location of experimental markers and marker
drivers is indicated with red and blue spheres.
The force plates are shown in grey and the
ground reaction forces in blue, with the length of
the line indicative of the magnitude of the force. Musculoskeletal model of a walking human
muscle in AnyBody (v7.3, AnyBody
Technology, Denmark)
Andersen, M. S. (2020). Introduction to musculoskeletal modelling. In Elsevier eBooks (pp. 41–80). https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-819531-4.00004-3
Musculoskeletal model of a walking human The image captures a frame. . . (n.d.). ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Musculoskeletal-model-of-a-walking-human-The-image-captures-a-frame-with-both-feet-
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in_fig1_370103836
OpenSim Overview
“OpenSim” encompasses a software framework building musculoskeletal
models, simulate movement, and analyze resulting behaviors, including:
End-user application with a graphical user
interface (GUI).
Set of command-line utilities.
Software development kit (SDK) including
application programming interfaces (APIs)
and corresponding libraries.
Standardized set of file formats for
defining and sharing neuromusculoskeletal
models and related data.
Growing set of reusable musculoskeletal
models in these formats. OpenSim developed by Simbios (NIH Center at Stanford)
Seth, A., Sherman, M., Reinbolt, J. A., & Delp, S. L. (2011). OpenSim: a musculoskeletal modeling and simulation framework for in silico investigations and exchange. Procedia IUTAM, 2, 212–232.
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.piutam.2011.04.021
OpenSim Workflow
Scaling: Adjusts a generic model’s
segment dimensions and virtual Static Optimization (SO) or
marker positions to match subject Computed Muscle Control (CMC):
anthropometry via marker data. Estimates muscle forces and
Inverse Kinematics (IK): Computes activations; SO for quick analysis,
joint angles over time, ensuring CMC for dynamic consistency and
kinematic consistency with marker forward simulation.
trajectories. Forward Dynamics (optional):
Inverse Dynamics (ID): Computes Simulates motion under computed
net joint moments using IK results muscle excitations, enabling
and measured external loads. predictive “what‑if” studies.
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Simulation with OpenSim - Best Practices - OpenSim Documentation - OpenSim. (n.d.). https://opensimconfluence.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/OpenSim/pages/53087686/Simulation%2Bwith%2BOpenSim%2B-
%2BBest%2BPractices?
AnyBody Overview
The AnyBody Modeling System (AMS) is a
musculoskeletal simulation environment
specializing in inverse dynamics, muscle
recruitment, and force‑dependent kinematics.
AMS uses AnyScript, an object‑oriented
language tailored for biomechanical
modeling, enabling concise definitions of
body segments, joints, drivers, and forces.
It includes the AnyBody Managed Model
Repository (AMMR), a curated library of
full‑body and regional models for gait, sports,
ergonomics, and orthopedics.
AnyBody Technology - AnyBody Technology. (2024, October 28). AnyBody Technology. https://www.anybodytech.com/ 12
AnyBody Workflow
Model Construction: Define or import segment geometry, joints, drivers,
and muscle actuators in AnyScript.
Motion & Load Specification: Import measured kinematics and
optionally external forces, or prescribe drivers for predictive simulations.
Inverse Dynamics Analysis: Solve system dynamics rapidly—even with
hundreds of muscles—by formulating equilibrium and recruitment in a
single optimization pass.
Result Evaluation: Review muscle activations, joint reaction forces, and
derived variables in the embedded chart view or export for finite element
analysis (FEA).
AnyBody Technology - AnyBody Technology. (2024, October 28). AnyBody Technology. https://www.anybodytech.com/ 13
Applications of
Musculoskeletal Simulation
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Surgical Planning and Intervention Optimization
Musculoskeletal simulation enables surgeons to predict post-
operative functional outcomes by simulating various surgical
strategies before implementation.
These models typically incorporate patient-specific anatomical
data derived from medical imaging (MRI, CT) to create accurate
three-dimensional representations of the patient's musculoskeletal
system.
Mogk, J. P., Johanson, M. E., Hentz, V. R., Saul, K. R., & Murray, W. M. (2010). A simulation analysis of the combined effects of muscle strength and surgical tensioning on lateral pinch force following brachioradialis to flexor 15
pollicis longus transfer. Journal of Biomechanics, 44(4), 669–675. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2010.11.004
Surgical Planning and Intervention Optimization
For instance, in tendon transfer surgeries for individuals with upper extremity
paralysis, simulations can predict changes in moment arms, muscle excursions,
and overall functional capacity following different surgical approaches.
Surgeons can virtually modify muscle attachment sites, adjust tendon lengths,
or alter muscle-tendon paths to optimize post-surgical outcomes.
Smith, C. D., & Towles, J. D. (2025). Multiple, not single, recipient muscle tendon transfers produce well-coordinated thumb-tip movement in lateral pinch grasp: a simulation study with application to restoration of improved
grasp after tetraplegia. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1532424
Tutorial 2 - Simulation and analysis of a tendon transfer surgery - OpenSiM Documentation - OpenSiM. (n.d.). https://opensimconfluence.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/OpenSim/pages/53088644/Tutorial+2+-
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+Simulation+and+Analysis+of+a+Tendon+Transfer+Surgery
Implant and Prosthesis Evaluation
Finite-element (FE) coupling to musculoskeletal simulation enables
patient-specific implant evaluation by applying realistic, in vivo–
derived loading to detailed FE models of bone and prosthetic
components.
This hybrid approach predicts implant stress distributions, bone
remodeling risk, and long-term durability far more accurately than
generic loading scenarios.
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Roychowdhury, A. (2009). Application of the finite element method in orthopedic implant design. Journal of Long-Term Effects of Medical Implants, 19(1), 55–82. https://doi.org/10.1615/jlongtermeffmedimplants.v19.i1.70
Implant and Prosthesis Evaluation
For hip resurfacing, simulations can
predict how implant geometry and
fixation strategies alter stress
distributions in the femoral neck and
cap interface under physiological
loads.
Simulations allow assessment of
cyclic loading to predict implant
fatigue life, informing material
selection and surface treatments for
wear resistance.
Harrington, M. S., Di Leo, S. D., Hlady, C. A., & Burkhart, T. A. (2024). Musculoskeletal modeling and movement simulation for structural hip disorder research: A scoping review of methods, validation, and applications. Heliyon,
10(15), e35007. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35007
Li, J. (2020). Development and validation of a finite-element musculoskeletal model incorporating a deformable contact model of the hip joint during gait. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials/Journal of
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Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 113, 104136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2020.104136
Q&A
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Q&A
1. What is the primary purpose of musculoskeletal modeling in biomechanics?
2. How does OpenSim support musculoskeletal simulation?
3. What are the clinical applications of musculoskeletal simulation?
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Q&A
1. What is the primary purpose of musculoskeletal modeling in biomechanics?
Musculoskeletal modeling is used to estimate internal forces such as muscle and joint reaction
forces by analyzing movement and external force data. It helps researchers and clinicians
understand the mechanics of human motion and optimize treatments or device designs.
2. How does OpenSim support musculoskeletal simulation?
OpenSim provides a comprehensive framework including tools for scaling generic models to
match subject-specific data, calculating joint angles (Inverse Kinematics), joint moments
(Inverse Dynamics), and estimating muscle forces (Static Optimization or Computed Muscle
Control). It also allows forward dynamic simulations for predictive studies.
3. What are the clinical applications of musculoskeletal simulation?
It is used in surgical planning to optimize procedures and predict post-operative outcomes. For
example, in tendon transfer surgeries, simulation helps visualize how changes in muscle
attachments or tendon paths affect movement, improving surgical strategy before actual
intervention. 21
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