Article
Biology
Stephen P. Allen, Owen N. Beck, Alena M. Grabowski
Summary: The volume of active muscle and duration of extensor muscle force have a significant impact on the associated metabolic energy expenditure, especially at different step frequencies. Taking into account the changes in effective mechanical advantage (EMA) and muscle volume, the study found a better correlation with metabolic energy expenditure during different step frequencies.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Iain Hunter, Raz Leib
Summary: Natural movement is related to health, but it is difficult to measure. Existing methods cannot capture the full range of natural movement. Comparing movement across different species helps identify common biomechanical and computational principles. Developing a system to quantify movement in freely moving animals in natural environments and relating it to life quality is crucial. This study proposes a theoretical framework based on movement ability and validates it in Drosophila.
JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biology
Nikolaos Papachatzis, Samuel F. Ray, Kota Z. Takahashi
Summary: Foot structures impact the leverage in locomotion by ankle muscles. However, the effect of foot anthropometry on the metabolic energy cost of walking remains inconclusive. This study tested the hypotheses that shorter heels and longer halluces are associated with enhanced force potential and reduce the energy cost of walking at faster speeds.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Samuel E. Masters, John H. Challis
Summary: The study found that an additional spring-mass-damper system can increase the self-stabilizing properties of the SLIP model and enhance its resistance to perturbations, thereby improving the stability of human running.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kevin T. Du Clos, Brad J. Gemmell, Sean P. Collin, John H. Costello, John O. Dabiri, Kelly R. Sutherland
Summary: Many fishes and physonect siphonophores employ distinct swimming modes for routine swimming and predator escape. In this study, the researchers compared the performances of asynchronous and synchronous swimming in the physonect siphonophore Nanomia bijuga. They found that synchronous swimming produced higher speeds and accelerations at the expense of higher costs of transport, while asynchronous swimming had lower energy consumption.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Kohta Ito, Tomoya Nakamura, Ryo Suzuki, Takuo Negishi, Motoharu Oishi, Takeo Nagura, Masahiro Jinzaki, Naomichi Ogihara
Summary: The human foot demonstrates a greater stability margin and better propulsion efficiency in bipedal locomotion compared to the chimpanzee foot, predominantly influenced by the locations of the center of pressure (COP) and the distribution of loading.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Luke N. Jessup, Luke A. Kelly, Andrew G. Cresswell, Glen A. Lichtwark
Summary: Many models have been developed to predict metabolic energy expenditure based on biomechanical proxies of muscle function. However, these models have not been rigorously tested across various locomotion tasks and have not adequately characterized different forms of locomotion. In this study, frequency and height constraints were imposed on hopping, and the effects on metabolic power and muscle function were evaluated. The results showed that a decrease in hop frequency and an increase in hop height led to an increase in metabolic power, which could be explained by changes in muscle activation and work requirements.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Katherine A. J. Daniels, J. F. Burn
Summary: This study demonstrates that the principle of energy optimality in human locomotion can be applied to complex task-level locomotor behaviors. The selection of locomotor strategies is predicted by the relative energy cost integrated across the complete multi-step task. Vision-based remote sensing alone is sufficient to predict the strategy with the lowest prospective energy cost in advance of obstacle encounter. This research highlights the integrative optimizations necessary for energetically efficient locomotion and proposes a new behavioral level that can be used to explore locomotor control and decision-making.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hugo Merienne, Gerard Latil, Pierre Moretto, Vincent Fourcassie
Summary: This study investigates the biomechanics of unloaded and loaded locomotion in the seed-harvesting ant Messor barbarus, finding that big and small ants display different postures during unloaded locomotion but expend the same amount of mechanical energy per unit of distance and body mass. When carrying a load, ants modify their locomotion gradually with increasing load mass, with small ants carrying small loads being more mechanically efficient.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Luke N. Jessup, Luke A. Kelly, Andrew G. Cresswell, Glen A. Lichtwark
Summary: Computational musculoskeletal modelling is a less-constrained alternative to indirect calorimetry for estimating energy expenditure. However, the predictions of these models depend on various assumptions and need to be validated.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Baxi Chong, Tianyu Wang, Eva Erickson, Philip J. Bergmann, Daniel Goldman
Summary: This study investigates body-limb coordination in lizards using biological experiments, a geometric theory of locomotion, and robophysical models. The findings suggest that body-wave dynamics in lizards can be described by a combination of standing and traveling waves, and the ratio of these components is inversely related to limb reduction and body elongation. The study also reveals that soil-dwelling lizards propel via terrestrial swimming, similar to sand-swimming lizards and snakes. The research provides insights into the functional constraints of elongation and limb reduction and can contribute to advancements in robot designs.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jasmine A. Nirody, Lisset A. Duran, Deborah Johnston, Daniel J. Cohen
Summary: The study found that tardigrades exhibit key features of walking similar to insects and show flexibility in interleg coordination under different environmental conditions. This suggests functional similarities in walking coordination between tardigrades and arthropods, possibly due to a common locomotor control circuit or independent convergence onto an optimal control strategy.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Barbara Grant, James Charles, Brendan Geraghty, James Gardiner, Kristiaan D'Aout, Peter L. Falkingham, Karl T. Bates
Summary: This study reveals that the mechanisms contributing to increased energy expenditure on compliant substrates during walking are more complex than previously thought. By analyzing a large dataset and conducting mechanical testing, the researchers propose that increased activity and mechanical work of muscles crossing the hip and knee joints are required to support the changes in joint and spatio-temporal kinematics on compliant substrates.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Rebecca Elizabeth Carlisle, Arthur D. Kuo
Summary: Humans choose their walking speed and duration based on minimizing energy expenditure per distance, but actual walking bouts involve time-varying trajectories influenced by task urgency and movement vigor. A computational model and human experiment demonstrate that walking speed and duration can be explained better by minimizing Energy and Time, with speed vs. time trajectories following inverted U shapes. Short bouts are unsteady due to acceleration, while longer bouts are steadier and faster. Individual-dependent vigor is characterized by the energy one is willing to spend to save time, resulting in similar-shaped walking trajectories.
Review
Biology
Amy R. Wu
Summary: This article discusses the challenges in the development of assistive devices and the use of biomechanical concepts and tools for control and test validation. Several potential solutions are proposed through a case study aimed at providing gait assistance for individuals with a spinal cord injury.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Torsten Sauder, Philipp M. Keune, Roy Mueller, Thomas Schenk, Patrick Oschmann, Sascha Hansen
Summary: The study found a strong negative correlation between trait mindfulness and depression and fatigue in PwMS. However, further analysis revealed that depression mediated the relationship between mindfulness and fatigue. This suggests that mindfulness may have a primary association with depression and a secondary association with fatigue in PwMS.
Article
Biophysics
Johanna Vielemeyer, Roy Mueller, Nora-Sophie Staufenberg, Daniel Renjewski, Rainer Abel
Summary: Research has shown that in different support phases of human walking, the direction of ground reaction forces and the height of the virtual pivot point may vary due to the vertical movement of the center of mass and differences in contact time.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Roy Mueller, Daniel Hamacher, Sascha Hansen, Patrick Oschmann, Philipp M. Keune
Summary: The study found that gait parameters obtained by wearable inertial sensors can sensitively detect gait disturbances in early multiple sclerosis patients and these parameters are significantly correlated with fatigue.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Roy Mueller, Lucas Schreff, Lisa-Eyleen Koch, Patrick Oschmann, Daniel Hamacher
Summary: The sensitivity of discriminating PwMS in terms of gait stability is affected by sensor location and LDE measurement time scale. Healthy participants appear to compensate better for perturbations on a longer time scale based on trunk movements, and on a shorter time scale according to foot kinematics.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Michael Ernst, Bjoern Altenburg, Thomas Schmalz, Andreas Kannenberg, Malte Bellmann
Summary: This study investigated the effectiveness of a microprocessor-controlled prosthetic foot (MPF) for walking on slopes. The results showed that the MPF was able to adapt to slopes, reduce knee joint moments, and provide a larger range of ankle motion. For individuals with transtibial amputation (TTA), the MPF performed better than standard prosthetic feet, while for individuals with transfemoral amputation (TFA), the prosthetic knee joint seemed to play a more crucial role.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lucas Schreff, Daniel F. B. Haeufle, Johanna Vielemeyer, Roy Mueller
Summary: Previous studies focused on reflexes and central pattern generators in reaction to step-down perturbations, while experiments also showed preparatory adaptations based on visual anticipation. This study proposes a high-level anticipatory strategy to enhance low-level muscle-reflex control, and simulations demonstrate that this strategy increases robustness.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Roy Mueller, Daniel Hamacher, Philipp M. Keune, Patrick Oschmann
Summary: Currently, studies have shown that wearable inertial sensors are highly sensitive in detecting gait disturbances in PwMS, with excellent reliability within a short time frame. However, it is unknown how stable these gait parameters remain over a longer period. This study found that after one year, the mean gait parameters remained stable, making them clinically relevant markers for evaluating treatment effects over a longer period of time in MS.
Rating: 8/10
Article
Neurosciences
Lucas Schreff, Daniel F. B. Haeufle, Rainer Abel, Roy Mueller
Article
Biophysics
Lucas Schreff, Daniel F. B. Haeufle, Alexander Badri-Sproewitz, Johanna Vielemeyer, Roy Mueller
Summary: The intersection point (IP) of ground reaction forces near the center of mass has been commonly assumed to provide postural stability for bipedal walking. However, this study challenges this assumption by finding stable walking patterns without the typical IP characteristics. The results suggest that the role of the IP in postural stability and the potential alternative or additional function of the IP should be further investigated.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Johanna Vielemeyer, Cristina Sole, Manuela Galli, Matteo Zago, Roy Mueller, Claudia Condoluci
Summary: This study compared the dynamic gait function of individuals with Down Syndrome to healthy controls using the concept of the virtual pivot point (VPP). The results showed that individuals with Down Syndrome had an anteriorly located VPP compared to healthy controls, likely due to larger hip moments during the propulsive phase of stance. High R-2 values in individuals with Down Syndrome suggest a strong association between the VPP and dynamic stability during walking.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Annalena Zahn, Veronika Koch, Lucas Schreff, Patrick Oschmann, Juergen Winkler, Heiko Gassner, Roy Mueller
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the validity of an inertial sensor-based gait analysis system in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), compared to a marker-based camera system. The results showed that the inertial sensor system accurately captured all examined gait parameters, with slightly discrepancies in stride time and swing time.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Johanna Vielemeyer, Nora-Sophie Staufenberg, Lucas Schreff, Daniel Rixen, Roy Mueller
Summary: Research found that humans imitating the humanoid robot LOLA showed no significant differences in speed, posture, and mass distribution compared to LOLA. Most participants exhibited the common virtual pivot point (VPP) observed in human and animal walking, while two participants did not show VPP during LOLA-like walking. This could be attributed to the unbalanced horizontal ground reaction forces during the single support phase, which is likely the key variable for the absence of VPP.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Johanna Vielemeyer, Lucas Schreff, Stefan Hochstein, Roy Mueller
Summary: This study investigated the effects of manipulating the center of pressure on the kinetics and kinematics of human walking and its influence on the virtual pivot point (VPP). The results showed that the majority of participants exhibited a VPP in various conditions, with the exception of one participant during handstand walking. There were no significant differences in the horizontal and vertical position of the VPP between the conditions.
Article
Surgery
Clara Oette, Roy Mueller, Lucas Schreff, Rainer Abel
Summary: This study aimed to examine the effects of postural changes on pressure measurements in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI) during daily life activity. Measurements were taken using a seat pressure mat on 34 patients, and the results showed significant differences between the initial measurement and the measurements at 30 and 90 minutes later, but stability was achieved after 30 minutes. The activity of the participants between measurements did not appear to have a significant impact on the results.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPINE SURGERY
(2023)
Article
Ergonomics
Thomas Schmalz, Anja Colienne, Emily Bywater, Lars Fritzsche, Christian Gaertner, Malte Bellmann, Samuel Reimer, Michael Ernst
Summary: The study results demonstrate that using the Paexo Back exoskeleton leads to reductions in oxygen consumption rate, decreases in activation levels of back and thigh muscles, and reductions in low back loading.
IISE TRANSACTIONS ON OCCUPATIONAL ERGONOMICS & HUMAN FACTORS
(2022)