Unlocking the secrets of efficient human movement? This research combines a three-dimensional neuromusculoskeletal model with dynamic optimization theory to simulate normal walking, aiming to minimize metabolic energy expenditure per distance traveled to determine the mechanisms of efficient bipedal motion. The body was modeled as a 23 degree-of-freedom mechanical linkage, actuated by 54 muscles, with muscle metabolic energy calculated by summing basal heat, activation heat, maintenance heat, shortening heat, and mechanical work. A key aspect of the study was that only a set of terminal constraints was placed on the states of the model to enforce repeatability of the gait cycle. Quantitative comparisons of the model predictions with experimental data show that the simulation reproduces salient features of normal gait. This simulation demonstrates that minimizing metabolic energy per unit distance traveled is a valid measure of walking performance. The development of such models can be used for a multitude of purposes including designing prosthetics and exoskeletons or treating gait abnormalities.
Published in the Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, this article perfectly aligns with the journal's focus on applying engineering principles to understand biological systems. By combining a neuromusculoskeletal model with dynamic optimization to simulate human walking, the research contributes directly to the field of biomechanics. The focus on minimizing metabolic energy expenditure aligns with the journal's interest in understanding the efficiency of human movement.
| Category | Category Repetition |
|---|---|
| Medicine: Medicine (General): Medical technology | 258 |
| Science: Biology (General) | 204 |
| Science: Physics | 144 |
| Technology: Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) | 143 |
| Science: Biology (General): Genetics | 117 |