Series elasticity facilitates safe plantar flexor muscle-tendon shock absorption during perturbed human hopping.

ABSTRACT: In our everyday lives, we negotiate complex and unpredictable environments. Yet, much of our knowledge regarding locomotion has come from studies conducted under steady-state conditions. We have previously shown that humans rely on the ankle joint to absorb energy and recover from perturbations; however, the muscle-tendon unit (MTU) behaviour and motor control strategies that accompany these joint-level responses are not yet understood. In this study, we determined how neuromuscular control and plantar flexor MTU dynamics are modulated to maintain stability during unexpected vertical perturbations. Participants performed steady-state hopping and, at an unknown time, we elicited an unexpected perturbation via rapid removal of a platform. In addition to kinematics and kinetics, we measured g

SUBMITTER: Dick TJM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8059679 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature