External, internal and total work in human locomotion.

1995 ◽  
Vol 198 (2) ◽  
pp. 379-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
P A Willems ◽  
G A Cavagna ◽  
N C Heglund
Keyword(s):  
Potential Energy ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Human Locomotion ◽  
The Body ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Gravitational Potential Energy ◽  
Total Work ◽  
Centre Of Mass ◽  
Body Segments ◽  
Energy Transfers

The muscle-tendon work performed during locomotion can, in principle, be measured from the mechanical energy of the centre of mass of the whole body and the kinetic energy due to the movements of the body segments relative to the centre of mass of the body. Problems arise when calculating the muscle-tendon work from increases in mechanical energy, largely in correctly attributing these increases either to energy transfer or to muscle-tendon work. In this study, the kinetic and gravitational potential energy of the centre of mass of the whole human body was measured (using a force platform) simultaneously with calculation of the kinetic and potential energy of the body segments due to their movements relative to the body centre of mass (using cinematography) at different speeds of walking and running. Upper and lower boundaries to the total work were determined by including or excluding possible energy transfers between the segments of each limb, between the limbs and between the centre of mass of the body and the limbs. It appears that the muscle-tendon work of locomotion is most accurately measured when energy transfers are only included between segments of the same limb, but not among the limbs or between the limbs and the centre of mass of the whole body.

scholarly journals The Possibility of Zero Limb-Work Gaits in Sprawled and Parasagittal Quadrupeds: Insights from Linkages of the Industrial Revolution

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J R Usherwood
Keyword(s):  
Potential Energy ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Phase Fluctuation ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
The Body ◽  
Mechanical Work ◽  
Gravitational Potential Energy ◽  
Pull Out

Synopsis Animal legs are diverse, complex, and perform many roles. One defining requirement of legs is to facilitate terrestrial travel with some degree of economy. This could, theoretically, be achieved without loss of mechanical energy if the body could take a continuous horizontal path supported by vertical forces only—effectively a wheel-like translation, and a condition closely approximated by walking tortoises. If this is a potential strategy for zero mechanical work cost among quadrupeds, how might the structure, posture, and diversity of both sprawled and parasagittal legs be interpreted? In order to approach this question, various linkages described during the industrial revolution are considered. Watt’s linkage provides an analogue for sprawled vertebrates that uses diagonal limb support and shows how vertical-axis joints could enable approximately straight-line horizontal translation while demanding minimal mechanical power. An additional vertical-axis joint per leg results in the wall-mounted pull-out monitor arm and would enable translation with zero mechanical work due to weight support, without tipping or toppling. This is consistent with force profiles observed in tortoises. The Peaucellier linkage demonstrates that parasagittal limbs with lateral-axis joints could also achieve the zero-work strategy. Suitably tuned four-bar linkages indicate this is feasibly approximated for flexed, biologically realistic limbs. Where “walking” gaits typically show out of phase fluctuation in center of mass kinetic and gravitational potential energy, and running, hopping or trotting gaits are characterized by in-phase energy fluctuations, the zero limb-work strategy approximated by tortoises would show zero fluctuations in kinetic or potential energy. This highlights that some gaits, perhaps particularly those of animals with sprawled or crouched limbs, do not fit current kinetic gait definitions; an additional gait paradigm, the “zero limb-work strategy” is proposed.

Mechanical Energy Expenditures and Movement Efficiency in Full Body Reaching Movements

2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daohang Sha ◽  
Christopher R. France ◽  
James S. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Potential Energy ◽  
Target Location ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
The Body ◽  
Reaching Movements ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Joint Power ◽  
Total Mechanical Energy ◽  
Full Body

The effect of target location, speed, and handedness on the average total mechanical energy and movement efficiency is studied in 15 healthy subjects (7 males and 8 females with age 22.9 ± 1.79 years old) performing full body reaching movements. The average total mechanical energy is measured as the time average of integration of joint power, potential energy, and kinetic energy respectively. Movement efficiency is calculated as the ratio of total kinetic energy to the total joint power and potential energy. Results show that speed and target location have significant effects on total mechanical energy and movement efficiency, but reaching hand only effects kinetic energy. From our findings we conclude that (1) efficiency in whole body reaching is dependent on whether the height of the body center of mass is raised or lowered during the task; (2) efficiency is increased as movement speed is increased, in part because of greater changes in potential energy; and (3) the CNS does not appear to use movement efficiency as a primary planning variable in full body reaching. It may be dependent on a combination of other factors or constraints.

scholarly journals Walking in simulated reduced gravity: mechanical energy fluctuations and exchange

1999 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 383-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy M. Griffin ◽  
Neil A. Tolani ◽  
Rodger Kram
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Potential Energy ◽  
Gravitational Potential ◽  
Inverted Pendulum ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Metabolic Cost ◽  
Metabolic Energy ◽  
Gravitational Potential Energy ◽  
Reduced Gravity

Walking humans conserve mechanical and, presumably, metabolic energy with an inverted pendulum-like exchange of gravitational potential energy and horizontal kinetic energy. Walking in simulated reduced gravity involves a relatively high metabolic cost, suggesting that the inverted-pendulum mechanism is disrupted because of a mismatch of potential and kinetic energy. We tested this hypothesis by measuring the fluctuations and exchange of mechanical energy of the center of mass at different combinations of velocity and simulated reduced gravity. Subjects walked with smaller fluctuations in horizontal velocity in lower gravity, such that the ratio of horizontal kinetic to gravitational potential energy fluctuations remained constant over a fourfold change in gravity. The amount of exchange, or percent recovery, at 1.00 m/s was not significantly different at 1.00, 0.75, and 0.50 G (average 64.4%), although it decreased to 48% at 0.25 G. As a result, the amount of work performed on the center of mass does not explain the relatively high metabolic cost of walking in simulated reduced gravity.

Biodynamic Characteristics of Upper Limb Reaching Movements of the Seated Human Under Whole-Body Vibration

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heon-Jeong Kim ◽  
Bernard J. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Right Hemisphere ◽  
Whole Body Vibration ◽  
The Body ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Vibration Transmission ◽  
Body Vibration ◽  
Body Segments ◽  
Human Movements ◽  
Reach Movements

Simulation of human movements is an essential component for proactive ergonomic analysis and biomechanical model development (Chaffin, 2001). Most studies on reach kinematics have described human movements in a static environment, however the models derived from these studies cannot be applied to the analysis of human reach movements in vibratory environments such as in-vehicle operations. This study analyzes three-dimensional joint kinematics of the upper extremity in reach movements performed in static and specific vibratory conditions and investigates vibration transmission to shoulder, elbow, and hand along the body path during pointing tasks. Thirteen seated subjects performed reach movements to five target directions distributed in their right hemisphere. The results show similarities in the characteristics of movement patterns and reach trajectories of upper body segments for static and dynamic environments. In addition, vibration transmission through upper body segments is affected by vibration frequency, direction, and location of the target to be reached. Similarities in the pattern of movement trajectories revealed by filtering vibration-induced oscillations indicate that coordination strategy may not be drastically different in static and vibratory environments. This finding may facilitate the development of active biodynamic models to predict human performance and behavior under whole body vibration exposure.

Quantifying Segmental Contributions to Center-of-Mass Motion During Dynamic Continuous Support Surface Perturbations Using Simplified Estimation Models

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 198-208
Author(s):  
Alison Schinkel-Ivy ◽  
Vicki Komisar ◽  
Carolyn A. Duncan
Keyword(s):  
Balance Control ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
The Body ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Mass Motion ◽  
Support Surface ◽  
Body Segments ◽  
Body Model ◽  
Full Body

Investigating balance reactions following continuous, multidirectional, support surface perturbations is essential for improving our understanding of balance control in moving environments. Segmental motions are often incorporated into rapid balance reactions following external perturbations to balance, although the effects of these motions during complex, continuous perturbations have not been assessed. This study aimed to quantify the contributions of body segments (ie, trunk, head, upper extremity, and lower extremity) to the control of center-of-mass (COM) movement during continuous, multidirectional, support surface perturbations. Three-dimensional, whole-body kinematics were captured while 10 participants experienced 5 minutes of perturbations. Anteroposterior, mediolateral, and vertical COM position and velocity were calculated using a full-body model and 7 models with reduced numbers of segments, which were compared with the full-body model. With removal of body segments, errors relative to the full-body model increased, while relationship strength decreased. The inclusion of body segments appeared to affect COM measures, particularly COM velocity. Findings suggest that the body segments may provide a means of improving the control of COM motion, primarily its velocity, during continuous, multidirectional perturbations, and constitute a step toward improving our understanding of how the limbs contribute to balance control in moving environments.

Mechanics of locomotion in lizards.

1997 ◽  
Vol 200 (16) ◽  
pp. 2177-2188 ◽  
Author(s):  
C T Farley ◽  
T C Ko
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Potential Energy ◽  
Gravitational Potential ◽  
Inverted Pendulum ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Gravitational Potential Energy ◽  
Lateral Bending ◽  
Walking Gait ◽  
Bending Force

Lizards bend their trunks laterally with each step of locomotion and, as a result, their locomotion appears to be fundamentally different from mammalian locomotion. The goal of the present study was to determine whether lizards use the same two basic gaits as other legged animals or whether they use a mechanically unique gait due to lateral trunk bending. Force platform and kinematic measurements revealed that two species of lizards, Coleonyx variegatus and Eumeces skiltonianus, used two basic gaits similar to mammalian walking and trotting gaits. In both gaits, the kinetic energy fluctuations due to lateral movements of the center of mass were less than 5% of the total external mechanical energy fluctuations. In the walking gait, both species vaulted over their stance limbs like inverted pendulums. The fluctuations in kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy of the center of mass were approximately 180 degrees out of phase. The lizards conserved as much as 51% of the external mechanical energy required for locomotion by the inverted pendulum mechanism. Both species also used a bouncing gait, similar to mammalian trotting, in which the fluctuations in kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy of the center of mass were nearly exactly in phase. The mass-specific external mechanical work required to travel 1 m (1.5 J kg-1) was similar to that for other legged animals. Thus, in spite of marked lateral bending of the trunk, the mechanics of lizard locomotion is similar to the mechanics of locomotion in other legged animals.

Mechanical Energy Changes and the Oxygen Cost of Running

1981 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 213-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
M R Shorten ◽  
S A Wootton ◽  
C Williams
Keyword(s):  
Energy Transfer ◽  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Net Energy ◽  
Oxygen Cost ◽  
Transfer Condition ◽  
Energy Transfers ◽  
Highly Correlated

The relationship between the oxygen cost of running at submaximal speeds and running mechanics was investigated in a group of trained athletes by means of an energy analysis. Subjects were filmed while running on a motorized treadmill at speeds of 3.58, 4.02, 4.47, 4.92, 5.36, and 5.81 m/s. Segmental potential and kinetic energies were determined using a three-dimensional link-segmental model. Intra-stride changes in the energy of the whole body were computed with no allowance for energy transfer and with various energy transfer constraints imposed on the model. Oxygen consumption was determined by expired air analysis and used to estimate energy expenditure. For each transfer condition, net energy expenditure was more highly correlated with the magnitude of intra-stride energy changes than with running speed per se. The more economic running patterns were characterized by greater within-segment energy transfers. Given the limitations of the kinematic energy model, it is suggested that individual patterns of running are a significant factor in the determination of energy expenditure.

Mass Transfer of God Particle or Higgs Boson

2012 ◽  
Vol 326-328 ◽  
pp. 164-169
Author(s):  
R. Leticia Corral Bustamante ◽  
Aarón Raúl Rodríguez-Corral ◽  
G. Irigoyen-Chávez ◽  
A. Heiras-Torres
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Gravitational Field ◽  
Higgs Boson ◽  
Potential Energy ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Planck Scale ◽  
Gravitational Potential Energy ◽  
Field Source ◽  
Conservation Of Energy ◽  
Show Evidence

This paper presents a mathematical model to predict the behaviour of the God particle, the Higgs boson, which adds mass to elementary particles appearing and disappearing in the time of Planck. The phenomenon of turbulence in the Planck scale in the modelling of space-time is the base on which is sustained this work. We measured the flow of fluid through the boundary that contains the studied mass (composed of virtual particles with characteristics similar to the Higgs boson) in full bubbling in a gravitational field with enormous surface gravity by calculating the divergence, the rotational and circulation of the fluid. The results show evidence of mass transfer of the particles consistent with the Theory of Special Relativity. The gravitational field (with mass like field source) acts as a conservative field, since its circulation along any closed curve is zero. By Stokes theorem, the flow is irrotational and therefore without vortices. In two arbitrary points of the gravitational field is found that the mechanical energy (sum of kinetic and potential energy) of the particles is constant, satisfying the theorem of conservation of energy in this inertial system isolated from conservative forces. Green's theorem defines sources and sinks of particles around a singularity in the mass center. For heat flow, the sources represent the heat production and the sinks represent its consumption. The irrotational gravitational field where is hosted the God particle has electrostatic and gravitational potential energy.

scholarly journals Techniques for the study of energy balance in man

2003 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 529-537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marinos Elia ◽  
Rebecca Stratton ◽  
James Stubbs
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Measurement Error ◽  
Energy Balance ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Dual Energy ◽  
The Body ◽  
Fat Free Mass ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Body Segments

Energy balance can be estimated in tissues, body segments, individual subjects (the focus of the present article), groups of subjects and even societies. Changes in body composition in individual subjects can be translated into changes in the energy content of the body, but this method is limited by the precision of the techniques. The precision for measuring fat and fat-free mass can be as low as 0.5 kg when certain reference techniques are used (hydrodensitometry, air-displacement plethysmography, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), and approximately 0.7 kg for changes between two time points. Techniques associated with a measurement error of 0.7 kg for changes in fat and fat-free mass (approximately 18MJ) are of little or no value for calculating energy balance over short periods of time, but they may be of some value over long periods of time (18 MJ over 1 year corresponds to an average daily energy balance of 70 kJ, which is <1% of the normal dietary energy intake). Body composition measurements can also be useful in calculating changes in energy balance when the changes in body weight and composition are large, e.g. >5–10 kg. The same principles can be applied to the assessment of energy balance in body segments using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Energy balance can be obtained over periods as short as a few minutes, e.g. during measurements of BMR. The variability in BMR between individuals of similar age, weight and height and gender is about 7–9%, most of which is of biological origin rather than measurement error, which is about 2%. Measurement of total energy expenditure during starvation (no energy intake) can also be used to estimate energy balance in a whole-body calorimeter, in patients in intensive care units being artificially ventilated and by tracer techniques. The precision of these techniques varies from 1 to 10%. Establishing energy balance by measuring the discrepancy between energy intake and expenditure has to take into consideration the combined validity and reliability of both components. The measurement error for dietary intake may be as low as 2–3% in carefully controlled environments, in which subjects are provided only with certain food items and bomb calorimetry can be undertaken on duplicate samples of the diet. Reliable results can also be obtained in hospitalised patients receiving enteral tube feeding or parenteral nutrition as the only source of nutrition. Unreliability increases to an unknown extent in free-living subjects eating a mixed and varied diet; thus, improved methodology is needed for the study of energy balance.

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