Hill-type models of skeletal muscle and neuromuscular actuators: a systematic review
Author(s)
Caillet, Arnault H
Phillips, Andrew TM
Carty, Christopher
Farina, Dario
Modenese, Luca
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Backed by a century of research and development, Hill-type models of skeletal muscle, often including a muscle-tendon complex and neuromechanical interface, are widely used for countless applications. Lacking recent comprehensive reviews, the field of Hill-type modeling is, however, dense and hard-to-explore, with detrimental consequences on innovation. Here we present the first systematic review of Hill-type muscle modeling. It aims to clarify the literature by detailing its contents and critically discussing the state-of-the-art by identifying the latest advances, current gaps, and potential future directions in Hill-type modeling. For this purpose, fifty-eight criteria-abiding Hill-type models were assessed according to a completeness evaluation, which identified the modelled muscle properties, and a modeling evaluation, which considered the level of validation and reusability of the models, as well as their modeling strategy and calibration. It is concluded that most models (1) do not significantly advance beyond historical foundational standards, (2) neglect the importance of parameter identification, (3) lack robust validation, and (4) are not reusable in other studies. Besides providing a convenient tool supported by extensive supplementary materials for navigating the literature, the results of this review highlight the need for global recommendations in Hill-type modeling to optimize inter-study consistency, knowledge transfer, and model reusability.
Date Issued
2026-01-01
Date Acceptance
2025-07-21
Citation
IEEE Reviews in Biomedical Engineering, 2026, 19, pp.159-181
ISSN
1937-3333
Publisher
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Start Page
159
End Page
181
Journal / Book Title
IEEE Reviews in Biomedical Engineering
Volume
19
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Authors. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. For more information, see http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40938713
Subjects
Actuators
Analytical models
Biological system modeling
Computational modeling
DRIVEN MUSCULOSKELETAL MODEL
Dynamics
Engineering
Engineering, Biomedical
FINITE-ELEMENT MODEL
Force
Hill-type model
MAXIMUM SHORTENING VELOCITY
MEDIAL GASTROCNEMIUS-MUSCLE
MOTOR-UNIT RECRUITMENT
Muscle model
muscle-tendon actuator
MYOCYBERNETIC CONTROL MODEL
MYOPLASMIC CALCIUM TRANSIENTS
Neuromuscular
neuromuscular actuator
RESIDUAL FORCE ENHANCEMENT
Science & Technology
SHORT-RANGE STIFFNESS
Systematic literature review
systematic review
Systematics
Technology
Terminology
WOBBLING MASS MODEL
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
United States
Date Publish Online
2025-09-12