computer models of biomechanics: muscles

[gusl]

I've seen lots of 3D models of the human skeleton. Can we model muscles on top of this as rubber bands stuck to different parts of the bones that shrink when tensed?

My mom is a physical therapist and believes that there would be a lot of money on this. Such a system could, for instance, illustrate how different stretching exercises have different consequences, and the different ways in which people can compensate for a given muscle shortening.

Properties of human muscles:
* muscles stretch
* the base-level length of a muscle can stretch (i.e. stretching for the second time is easier than for the first) rather quickly, and will shrink slowly if not stretched in a long time.

Things I need to figure out if I am to do such a project:
* how to find and use graphics APIs (preferably for Common Lisp!)

Once I get playing with the 3D models, I imagine that figuring out the mechanics itself will be fun and easy, although maybe I will need data about real people.

Comments

[gustavolacerda.livejournal.com]

I agree. So the question is why this isn't widespread in physical therapy circles?

[jcreed.livejournal.com]

Yeah, this may well be a good niche where one group of people has effectively solved a problem, and all one needs to do is the work of "exporting" it...