A simple exoskeleton that assists plantarflexion can reduce the metabolic cost of human walking.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Even though walking can be sustained for great distances, considerable energy is required for plantarflexion around the instant of opposite leg heel contact. Different groups attempted to reduce metabolic cost with exoskeletons but none could achieve a reduction beyond the level of walking without exoskeleton, possibly because there is no consensus on the optimal actuation timing. The main research question of our study was whether it is possible to obtain a higher reduction in metabolic cost by tuning the actuation timing.

Methodology/principal findings

We measured metabolic cost by means of respiratory gas analysis. Test subjects walked with a simple pneumatic exoskeleton that assists plantarflexion with different actuation timings. We found that the exoskeleton

SUBMITTER: Malcolm P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3571952 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature