Advisor Information
Kota Takahashi
Location
UNO Criss Library, Room 231
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
3-3-2017 1:15 PM
End Date
3-3-2017 1:30 PM
Abstract
In human walking, the relationship between foot and ankle structure and function is not fully known. The foot and toe structures seem to dissipate energy while the ankle generates force through the plantarflexor muscles. Increasing foot stiffness through added carbon fiber insoles has been shown to increase force output and decrease contraction velocity of the ankle plantarflexor muscles. This shift in the muscular force-velocity operating range may be beneficial in fast walking. During fast walking, muscle fascicles contract at high velocities and low force output. We predict that added foot stiffness can reduce the metabolic cost of fast walking by reducing muscle contraction velocity to a more favorable range. This research has potential applications in assisting impaired locomotion, whether from adaptation to altered gravity environments, heavy load carriage, or from musculoskeletal disorders.
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Included in
Augmenting Human Muscle Performance through Added Foot Stiffness
UNO Criss Library, Room 231
In human walking, the relationship between foot and ankle structure and function is not fully known. The foot and toe structures seem to dissipate energy while the ankle generates force through the plantarflexor muscles. Increasing foot stiffness through added carbon fiber insoles has been shown to increase force output and decrease contraction velocity of the ankle plantarflexor muscles. This shift in the muscular force-velocity operating range may be beneficial in fast walking. During fast walking, muscle fascicles contract at high velocities and low force output. We predict that added foot stiffness can reduce the metabolic cost of fast walking by reducing muscle contraction velocity to a more favorable range. This research has potential applications in assisting impaired locomotion, whether from adaptation to altered gravity environments, heavy load carriage, or from musculoskeletal disorders.