Musculoskeletal simulation of SOLEUS ankle exoskeleton for countermeasure exercise in space

Abstract

SOLEUS system aims at providing efficient countermeasure exercises focused on the lower legs. The final product is foreseen to be based on an orthotics structure allowing exercising the ankle joint and muscle groups, even in microgravity. In order to test the pedal-pulling scenario for the operation of the system, multibody dynamics based musculoskeletal simulation has been performed. The result of the simulation shows the profile of the ankle plantar flexion torque by muscles with the given exoskeleton’s actuator force and motion conditions. Also the muscle activation patterns could be retrieved.