Minimum effort simulations of split-belt treadmill walking exploit asymmetry to reduce metabolic energy expenditure
Mark Price, Meghan E. Huber, Wouter Hoogkamer
Abstract
Behavioral observations of split-belt treadmill adaptation have been inconclusive toward its underlying causes. To estimate gait patterns when driven exclusively by one of these possible underlying causes, we simulated split-belt treadmill walking with a musculoskeletal model that minimized its summed muscle excitations. Our model took significantly longer steps on the fast belt and reduced its metabolic rate below tied-belt walking, unlike experimental observations. This suggests that asymmetry is energetically optimal, but human adaptation involves additional factors.
Topics & Concepts
TreadmillGaitExploitEnergy expenditureAsymmetryPhysical medicine and rehabilitationAdaptation (eye)Metabolic costComputer scienceSimulationPsychologyPhysicsNeurosciencePhysical therapyMedicineQuantum mechanicsEndocrinologyComputer securityMuscle activation and electromyography studiesBalance, Gait, and Falls PreventionRobotic Locomotion and Control