The effects of ankle stiffness on mechanics and energetics of walking with added loads: a prosthetic emulator study.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:The human ankle joint has an influential role in the regulation of the mechanics and energetics of gait. The human ankle can modulate its joint 'quasi-stiffness' (ratio of plantarflexion moment to dorsiflexion displacement) in response to various locomotor tasks (e.g., load carriage). However, the direct effect of ankle stiffness on metabolic energy cost during various tasks is not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to determine how net metabolic energy cost was affected by ankle stiffness while walking under different force demands (i.e., with and without additional load). METHODS:Individuals simulated an amputation by using an immobilizer boot with a robotic ankle-foot prosthesis emulator. The prosthetic emulator was controlled to follow five ankle stiffness condi

SUBMITTER: Hedrick EA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6873504 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature