External work in walking

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Cavagna, G. A.¹; Saibene, F. P.¹; Margaria, R.¹

External work in walking

J Appl Physiol. January 1963;18(1):1-9

Affiliations

¹Istituto di Fisiologia Umana, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
Abstract

From records obtained from a triple accelerometer applied to the trunk of a subject the displacements of the trunk in vertical, forward, and lateral directions have been calculated. With motion pictures taken simultaneously, displacements of the center of gravity within the body were measured. From these data the external mechanical work of walking was calculated. The sum of work for vertical and for forward displacements of the center of gravity of the body gives the total external work; energy for the lateral displacements was negligible. Total external work appears to be lower than that calculated from the vertical displacements alone, because work done in lifting is partly sustained by the inertial force of the forward-moving body. Total external work reaches a highest value (0.1 kcal/km kg) at the most economical speed of walking, 4 km/hr, which corresponds to an energy consumption of 0.48 kcal/km kg. At this speed the internal work appears negligible; it amounts to appreciable entities at very low speeds because of the static contractions of the muscles, and at high speeds because of considerable stiffening of the limbs and movements not involving a displacement of the center of gravity.
Links

DOI: 10.1152/jappl.1963.18.1.1

PubMed: 14019429

WoS: A19633717B00008
History

Received: 1962-05-25

Cited By (19)

Year	Entry
1991	Winter DA. The Biomechanics and Motor Control of Human Gait: Normal, Elderly and Pathological. 2nd ed. Waterloo, ON: University of Waterloo Press; 1991.
1977	Cavagna GA, Heglund NC, Taylor CR. Mechanical work in terrestrial locomotion: two basic mechanisms for minimizing energy expenditure. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. November 1977;233(5):R243-R261.
2000	Laursen B, Ekner D, Simonsen EB, Voigt M, Sjøgaard G. Kinetics and energetics during uphill and downhill carrying of different weights. Appl Ergon. April 2000;31(2):159-166.
2005	Ishikawa M, Komi PV, Grey MJ, Lepola V, Bruggemann G-P. Muscle-tendon interaction and elastic energy usage in human walking. J Appl Physiol. 2005;99(2):603-608.
2002	Donelan JM, Kram R, Kuo AD. Simultaneous positive and negative external mechanical work in human walking. J Biomech. January 2002;35(1):117-124.
2020	Wilkinson RD, Cresswell AG, Lichtwark GA. Riders use their body mass to amplify crank power during nonseated ergometer cycling. Med Sci Sports Exer. December 2020;52(12):2599-2607.
2001	Fukunaga T, Kubo K, Kawakami Y, Fukashiro S, Kanehisa H, Maganaris CN. In vivo behaviour of human muscle tendon during walking. Proc R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. February 7, 2001;268(1464):229-233.
1991	Farley CT. Mechanical and Energetic Constraints in Terrestrial Locomotion [PhD thesis]. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University; May 1991.
2012	Park K. Quantitative Assessment of Human Gait Patterns Using Biomechanical and Dynamical Tools [PhD thesis]. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; 2012.
1988	Brodeur RR. Mechanical Work: An Analysis of Its Application to the Study of Human Performance [Master's thesis]. East Lansing, MI: Michigan State University; 1988.
1980	Williams KR. A Biomechanical and Physiological Evaluation of Running Efficiency [PhD thesis]. State College, PA: Pennsylvania State University; November 1980.
1997	McCrory JL. A Biomechanical Comparison of 1-G and Fully Loaded Simulated Zero-Gravity Locomotion [PhD thesis]. State College, PA: Pennsylvania State University; May 1997.
2012	Moreno Hernández A. Using Measures of External Work to Assess the Degree of Gait Symmetry [Master's thesis]. Vancouver, BC: University of British Columbia; November 2012.
1996	Stefanyshyn DJ. Mechanical Energy Contributions of the Lower Extremity Joints to Athletic Performance [PhD thesis]. Calgary, AB: University of Calgary; March 1996.
1998	Ferris DP. Leg Stiffness and Muscle Activity During Human Locomotion [PhD thesis]. Berkeley, CA: Berkeley, University of California; 1998.
2001	Donelan JM. Mechanics and Energetics of Human Walking [PhD thesis]. Berkeley, CA: Berkeley, University of California; 2001.
2012	Zelik KE. Passive Energy-Saving Mechanisms in Human Locomotion [PhD thesis]. University of Michigan; 2012.
1998	Grenier S. Internal Work Measurement and Simultaneous Oxygen Consumption of Impaired and Normal Walking [Master's thesis]. University of Ottawa; 1998.
2021	Wilkinson R. Rock and Roll: The Effects of Centre of Mass Movement and Bicycle Lean on the Biomechanics of Cycling [PhD thesis]. Brisbane, Australia: University of Queensland; 2021.