Shape analysis of bicipital contraction by means of RGB-D sensor, parallel transport and trajectory analysis

We present a novel system for the markerless shape analysis of bicipital contraction. The study of the soft tissue deformation due to the biceps muscular activity is achieved by analysing video sequences obtained from a RGB-D sensor and applying geometric morphometrics and parallel transport algorithms. In particular, we tested for differences between genders in soft tissue deformation during isometric contraction. Tests on 20 subjects (10 males, 10 females) in biceps brachii isometric contraction have been performed. The obtained results, in terms of size and shape deformations, are in accordance with biomechanical and physiological studies. The performance of the proposed method is particularly encouraging for its application to elderlies, in the bio-medical investigations as well as in rehabilitation of the upper limb.