  Using an experimental optimization approach, this study investigated whether
two human movements, pointing tasks and squat-jumps, could be modelled with a
reduced set of kinematic parameters. Three sigmoid models were proposed to
model the evolution of joint angles. The models parameters were optimized to
fit the 2D position of the joints obtained from 304 pointing tasks and 120
squat-jumps. The models were accurate for both movements. This study provides a
new framework to model planar movements with a small number of meaningful
kinematic parameters, allowing a continuous description of both kinematics and
kinetics. Further researches should investigate the implication of the control
parameters in relation to motor control and validate this approach for three
dimensional movements.

Quantitative Methods;Biological Physics