@misc{MelznerIsmailRušavyetal., author = {Melzner, Maximilian and Ismail, Khaled M. and Rušav{\´y}, Zdeněk and Kališ, Vladim{\´i}r and S{\"u}ß, Franz and Dendorfer, Sebastian}, title = {Musculoskeletal Lower Back Load of Accoucheurs During Delivery}, series = {26th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics, July 11-14, 2021, Milan, Italy}, journal = {26th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics, July 11-14, 2021, Milan, Italy}, address = {Milan}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-20208}, abstract = {With the progress in modern medicine, it was possible to significantly reduce the risks of birth for mother and child. One aspect that has received less attention so far is the risk of injury to the accoucheurs (obstetricians and midwives) during the birth process. Indeed, studies indicate that 92\% of midwives suffer from musculoskeletal disorders, with the lower back being the main cause of complaints (72\%). The aim of this study was to investigate two commonly used postural techniques used by accoucheurs during childbirth and to analyze the resulting load on the lower back using the AnyBodyTM musculoskeletal simulation software.}, language = {en} } @article{MelznerIsmailRušavyetal., author = {Melzner, Maximilian and Ismail, Khaled M. and Rušavy, Zdenek and Kališ, Vladim{\´i}r and S{\"u}ß, Franz and Dendorfer, Sebastian}, title = {Musculoskeletal lower back load of accoucheurs during childbirth - A pilot and feasibility study}, series = {European Journal of Obstetrics \& Gynecology and Reproductive Biology}, journal = {European Journal of Obstetrics \& Gynecology and Reproductive Biology}, number = {264}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.ejogrb.2021.07.042}, pages = {306 -- 313}, abstract = {Introduction: Back problems represent one of the leading causes of accouchers' work-related musculoskeletal morbidities. The correct execution of birth-related maneuvers including manual perineal protection is crucial not only for the mother and child but also for obstetricians and midwives to reduce any strain on their musculoskeletal system. Therefore, the overall aim of this study was to test the feasibility of determining the effect of different accouchers' postures (standing and kneeling) on their musculoskeletal system. Methods: The biomechanical analysis is based on musculoskeletal simulations that included motion recordings of real deliveries as well as deliveries conducted on a birthing simulator. These simulations were then used to determine individual joints' loads. Results: In the kneeling posture, both a low intra-operator variability and a lower average maximum load of the lower back was observed. For the standing position the spine load was reduced by pivoting the elbow on the accouchers' thigh, which in turn was associated with a significantly greater load on the shoulder joint. Conclusion: The study demonstrated the feasibility of our technique to assess joints loads. It also provided initial data indicating that a posture that reduces spinal flexion and tilt, achieved in this study by the kneeling, can significantly reduce the strain on the practitioner's musculoskeletal system.}, language = {en} } @article{BarthelSuessDendorfer, author = {Barthel, Mareike and S{\"u}ß, Franz and Dendorfer, Sebastian}, title = {Application of a transformer encoder for the prediction of intra-abdominal pressure}, series = {Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering}, journal = {Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering}, publisher = {Taylor \& Francis}, doi = {10.1080/10255842.2025.2586143}, pages = {11}, abstract = {Intra-abdominal pressure is a significant physiological parameter influencing spinal stability and pelvic floor health. This study investigates the potential of a transformer encoder model to predict IAP using motion capture data and musculoskeletal modeling. Data from 211 subjects performing walking, fast walking, and running were used to train a transformer encoder. The model showed promising results with an overall Mean Absolute Percentage Error of 13.5\% and a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.85. Predictions for fast walking and running proved to be more challenging compared to walking, which was attributed to the greater variability and complexity of faster movements.}, language = {en} } @misc{GschossmannSuessDendorfer, author = {Gschoßmann, Lukas and S{\"u}ß, Franz and Dendorfer, Sebastian}, title = {Impact of Model Parameters on Ground Reaction Force Predictions in Musculoskeletal Modelling}, series = {ISB 2025 - The XXX Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, 27-31 July, Stockholm}, journal = {ISB 2025 - The XXX Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, 27-31 July, Stockholm}, abstract = {This study evaluated how model parameters affect ground reaction force (GRF) predictions in musculoskeletal simulations. A parameter study varying contact height and velocity thresholds and marker weights was conducted. While height and velocity thresholds had minimal impact, marker weights impact prediction errors. These findings highlight the importance of carefully selecting model parameters.}, language = {en} } @misc{FoerstlAdlerSuessetal., author = {F{\"o}rstl, Nikolas and Adler, Ina and S{\"u}ß, Franz and Jansov{\´a}, Magdalena and Vychytil, Jan and Dendorfer, Sebastian}, title = {Evaluating the loads on the female pelvic floor during full-body activities using computational models}, abstract = {This work investigated the loads on the female pelvic floor during various full-body movements using computational models to calculate abdominal pressure and organ dynamic loads. While high-impact exercises resulted in higher loads, other movements showed lower loads, potentially indicating, which movements may be performed without risking pelvic floor overload and subsequent dysfunctions.}, language = {en} } @misc{BarthelSuessDendorfer, author = {Barthel, Mareike and S{\"u}ß, Franz and Dendorfer, Sebastian}, title = {Predicting intra-abdominal pressure during walking and running}, series = {ISB 2025 - The XXX Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, 27-31. July 2025, Stockholm}, journal = {ISB 2025 - The XXX Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, 27-31. July 2025, Stockholm}, abstract = {Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is an important physiological parameter, which is difficult to measure during physical activity. In this study, motion capture, musculoskeletal modeling and a transformer encoder model are used to predict IAP during walking and running. The model showed promising results with an overall mean percentage error of 13.5\% and a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.85. Minor challenges included the lower accuracy for fast walking and running and the limited amount of data. All in all, the prediction of IAP was successful, which opens up prospects for further applications.}, language = {en} } @misc{AdlerFoerstlČechovaetal., author = {Adler, Ina and F{\"o}rstl, Nikolas and Čechov{\´a}, Hana and Nov{\´a}ček, V{\´i}t and S{\"u}ß, Franz and Dendorfer, Sebastian}, title = {Mechanistic analysis of pelvic floor functionality using musculoskeletal simulation}, series = {ISB 2025 - The XXX Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, 27-31 July 2025, Stockholm}, journal = {ISB 2025 - The XXX Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, 27-31 July 2025, Stockholm}, doi = {10.35096/othr/pub-8729}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-87294}, pages = {1}, abstract = {There is consensus that knowledge about the fundamentals of the pelvic floor remains incomplete, particularly regarding the sensitivity of individual pelvic floor muscles to posture variations. This study aimed to investigate the effects of variations in pelvic tilt and the point of force application induced by changes in posture on pelvic floor activity using musculoskeletal simulation. A parameter study analysed various loading cases, highlighting the coherent response of individual pelvic floor muscles to loads. Muscle activities and forces were compared across different force application points and pelvic tilt angles. A key finding was identifying peak muscle activity conditions that could help better understand the causes of pelvic floor disorders.}, language = {en} } @misc{GschossmannSchedelSuessetal., author = {Gschoßmann, Lukas and Schedel, Valentin and S{\"u}ß, Franz and Weber, Markus and Pfingsten, Andrea and Dendorfer, Sebastian}, title = {Evaluating Knee Joint Loads Across Exercises and Activities of Daily Living to Personalize TKA Rehabilitation}, series = {ISB 2025 - The XXX Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, 27.-31. July 2025, Stockholm}, journal = {ISB 2025 - The XXX Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, 27.-31. July 2025, Stockholm}, doi = {10.35096/othr/pub-8725}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-87252}, pages = {1}, abstract = {This study assessed knee joint loading during various physiotherapy exercises and activities of daily living in 30 healthy subjects. Results showed that lunges and squats caused the highest joint forces, while gait and stair activities also imposed substantial loads. These findings support datadriven exercise selection for personalized rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Suess, author = {S{\"u}ß, Franz}, title = {The influence of mental stress on the musculoskeletal human back during static posture and trunk motion}, doi = {10.5283/epub.46055}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:355-epub-460554}, pages = {106}, abstract = {The investigation of the influence of mental stress on muscle recruitment of the back and its effect on the intervertebral discs was the main focus of this work. Furthermore, the goal was to develop algorithms to use mental stress as an input parameter in musculoskeletal simulation models. In the first step, a study was designed to investigate the influence of emotional and cognitive stress without kinetic influencing factors during sitting. At the muscular level, emotional stress was found to affect the upper back, while cognitive stress elicited higher muscle activity in the upper and lower back. Using a newly developed algorithm to apply back muscle recruitment changes to static inverse kinematic simulation models, load increases at the discs of up to 189 N on average and up to 907 N at peak were found.Based on the results of the first study, a second dynamic study was designed and conducted. In this case, the focus was on the cognitive stressor and the lower back. Using a dynamometer, subject-specific loads were applied during extension and flexion of the upper back. In contrast to the first study, in the upper back, only the right m. trapezius pars descendens showed a load-induced difference in muscle activity, but the lower back did. To investigate the effects of muscle tone increase in detail, the algorithm developed in the first study was extended to the dynamic case. The use of simulation models allowed the inference of the effects of the purely stress-induced tone increase. For this purpose, the kinetic and muscular effects were isolated and simulated. The study revealed a stress increase of 47\% of the body weight in the L4L5 disc. The final numerical study focused on the general application of muscle activities to inverse kinematic simulation models. This was based on the novel simulation algorithm used in study two and the measured muscle activities. The simulation of the measured muscle activities formed the link between reality and simulation. To simulate the activities, neural networks and gradient boosting regression algorithms were investigated. The latter were found to be better suited to represent the data. However, the data is too small for a detailed statement, especially for loads below 100\%. The results of this work can help to better assess the musculoskeletal effects of psychological stress on the musculoskeletal system and, if necessary, to develop ergonomic prevention strategies. By recognizing stress-related kinematic difference, as well as subsequent prompting of trunk movement, could help prevent long-term effects. When examining any situation, the combination of machine learning and musculoskeletal simulation tools can help examine and minimize the effects of psychological stress.}, language = {en} } @article{GschossmannSchedelSuessetal., author = {Gschoßmann, Lukas and Schedel, Valentin and S{\"u}ß, Franz and Weber, Markus and Pfingsten, Andrea and Dendorfer, Sebastian}, title = {Comparing kinematic and kinetic demands on the knee joint during selected physiotherapy exercises and activities of daily living}, series = {Technology and health care ; Special issue: BIOMDLORE}, journal = {Technology and health care ; Special issue: BIOMDLORE}, publisher = {Sage}, doi = {10.1177/09287329251413413}, pages = {14}, abstract = {Background: The knee is one of the most common areas to suffer injuries or be affected by surgery. Physiotherapy rehabilitation was shown to support recovery, but evidence guiding optimal rehabilitation practices is limited. To recommend appropriate exercises, it is essential to understand the musculoskeletal requirements involved in both physiotherapy and activities of daily living (ADLs).ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate and compare the knee joint kinematics, joint forces and muscle activity in knee flexors and extensors during selected rehabilitation exercises and ADLs.MethodsKinematic and kinetic data from 30 healthy participants were collected during 20 different tasks. Full-body musculoskeletal simulations were performed to estimate peak knee joint angles, angular velocities, joint reaction forces, and muscle activity of the knee flexors and extensors.ResultsComparatively high requirements were observed for lunges, squats, stair walking and gait. Medium requirements were observed for sitting down and rising from a chair. Low requirements were observed for balance shifts and variations of the single leg stand.ConclusionOverall, ADLs like gait and stair walking show surprisingly high requirements compared to many exercises employed in physiotherapy. These findings are a step towards biomechanically informed exercise selection and the development of personalized rehabilitation programs.}, language = {en} }