48. Development of Muscle Mass Database for Physical Activity Assessments

Abstract

PURPOSE: We are developing a database of human muscle masses or volumes that will provide an assessment tool that could measure yoga postures or other physical activities by providing a metric on muscle stretch. Research goal is to test methods to measure limb stretch along with basic physiologic parameters for use in a computer video exergame to assess yoga to promote healthy physical activity and wellness by providing feedback on limb stretch levels. METHODS: We will obtain models of muscles then using water displacement, we will measure volumes of these models. Masses for unknown muscles will be calculated by setting up a ratio: (Known muscle mass)x(known muscle volume) = (muscle mass sought)x (unknown muscle volume). RESULTS: A prior study sought to determine if different yoga poses were easier to learn if muscle-skeleton complexity as estimated with total engaged muscle masses was smaller. Using literature values of measured human standard muscle masses and identity of muscle engagements in the yoga poses, we were able to rank the yoga poses by total muscle mass engaged. That work had a collection of about 30 muscle masses, but it is incomplete having several muscles missing. Our intent is to literature search for muscle masses of the missing muscles, and if this data is not available, we will seek available plastic models of muscles that are missing in our database. If not found, we will construct, using modelling clay. CONCLUSION: We will conduct a table of total muscle masses for yoga poses and physical activity.