Abstract:
This paper develops and investigates a three-dimensional finite element model of the human tibialis anterior muscle, focusing on accurately simulating both its active and passive biomechanical behavior. The model incorporates realistic muscle architecture and geometry, including fiber direction, aponeurosis dimensions, and tendon attachments, based on experimental measurements. It simulates isometric contractions and passive stretching under physiological loading conditions, and evaluates resulting internal force distributions, fascicle curvatures, and tissue deformations. Results reveal complex interactions between aponeuroses and muscle fibers that significantly influence muscle function and force production. The study shows how structural features such as the pennation angle and fascicle bending contribute to intramuscular stress variation and nonlinear mechanical behavior. This work provides crucial insights into skeletal muscle mechanics, establishing a validated computational approach for analyzing muscle force generation, tissue loading, and mechanical function in both health and clinical contexts.
