Improving the energy economy of human running with powered and unpowered ankle exoskeleton assistance
Kirby Ann Witte, Pieter Fiers, Alison L. Sheets-Singer, Steven H. Collins
Abstract
per step) and late timing of peak torque (75.7 ± 5.0% stance). Unexpectedly, spring-like assistance was ineffective, improving energy economy by only 2.1 ± 2.4% compared with zero torque and increasing metabolic rate by 11.1 ± 2.8% compared with control shoes. The energy savings we observed imply that running velocity could be increased by as much as 10% with no added effort for the user and could influence the design of future products.
Topics & Concepts
ExoskeletonRunning economyTorqueWork (physics)AnkleSimulationTreadmillComputer sciencePhysical medicine and rehabilitationEngineeringAutomotive engineeringPhysical therapyMechanical engineeringHeart rateMedicinePhysicsRadiologyBlood pressureVO2 maxPathologyThermodynamicsProsthetics and Rehabilitation RoboticsMuscle activation and electromyography studiesMechanical Circulatory Support Devices