Hill-type computational models of muscle-tendon actuators: a systematic review

Abstract

AbstractBacked by a century of research and development, Hill-type muscle-tendon models are extensively used for countless applications. Lacking recent reviews, the field of Hill-type modelling is however dense and hard-to-explore, with detrimental consequences on knowledge transmission, inter-study consistency, and innovation. Here we present the first systematic review of the field of Hill-type muscle-tendon modelling. It aims to clarify the literature by detailing its contents and proposing updated terminology and definitions, and discussing the state-of-the-art by identifying the latest advances, current gaps, and potential improvements in modelling muscle properties. To achieve this aim, fifty-five criteria-abiding studies were extracted using a systematic search and their Hill-type models assessed according to a completeness evaluation, which identified the modelled muscle-tendon properties, and a modelling evaluation, which considered the level of validation and reusability of the model, and attention given to its modelling strategy and calibration. It is concluded that most models (1) do not significantly advance the dated gold standards in muscle modelling and do not build upon more recent advances, (2) overlook the importance of parameter identification and tuning, (3) are not strongly validated, and (4) are not reusable in other studies. Besides providing a convenient tool supported by extensive supplementary material for understanding the literature, the results of this review open a discussion on the necessity for global recommendations in Hill-type modelling and more frequent reviews to optimize inter-study consistency, knowledge transmission and model reusability.