Knee extension moment arm variations relate to mechanical function in walking and running.

ABSTRACT: The patellofemoral joint plays a crucial mechanical role during walking and running. It increases the knee extensor mechanism's moment arm and reduces the knee extension muscle forces required to generate the extension moment that supports body weight, prevents knee buckling and propels the centre of mass. However, the mechanical implications of moment arm variation caused by patellofemoral and tibiofemoral motion remain unclear. We used a data-driven musculoskeletal model with a 12-degree-of-freedom knee to simulate the knee extension moment arm during walking and running. Using a geometric method to calculate the moment arm, we found smaller moment arms during running than during walking in the swing phase. Overall, knee flexion causes differences between running and walking moment arms

SUBMITTER: Wheatley MGA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8371375 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature