Thrust-versus-endurance trade-off optimization in swimming. Issue 6 (2nd June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Phillips, Christopher W. G.; Hudson, Dominic A.; Turnock, Stephen R.; Forrester, Alexander I. J.
• Is Part Of: Engineering optimization. Volume 52:Issue 6(2020)
• Page Start: 1068
• Page End: 1081
• Publication Date: 2020-06-02
• Subjects: Multiobjective -- surrogate modelling -- Kriging -- dolphin kick -- musculoskeletal modelling; Engineering design -- Periodicals; Mathematical optimization -- Periodicals; 620.0042
• DOI: 10.1080/0305215X.2019.1636980
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-215X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article applies methods typically used in engineering applications to the optimization of human locomotion, more specifically a swimmer's underwater 'dolphin kick'. This is a dual-objective problem which seeks the optimal trade-off between thrust (simulated using Lighthill's fish propulsion method) and the force in the muscles to produce this thrust (simulated using musculoskeletal modelling). The expense of the analyses leads to the use of a surrogate modelling based optimization technique (multi-objective expected improvement using Kriging). The results indicate that optimal human motion does in many respects follow that of fish, with low frequency eel-like techniques suitable for endurance and a high frequency tuna-like kick for high thrust. The MATLAB® code, including thrust and muscle activity models, is made available in an online repository.