Mathematical models of skeletal muscle function

Structural and utilitarian approaches to the mathematical modeling of skeletal muscle function are reviewed and analyzed from the engineering point of view. The intrinsic non-linearity of muscle behavior and lack of directly measurable inputs, outputs and state variables are emphasized as major impediments to successful modeling. Lumped parameter, utilitarian models are shown to provide little or no insight to muscle structure or control, and to insufficiently predict the kinetics of muscle function. Classical feedback control techniques have limited applicability to neuromuscular control models and a parametric control paradigm is alternatively suggested. Structural cross-bridge models are complex and over-parameterized and are not suitable for systematic parameter identification.