Influence of reducing the vertical displacement of the body's centre of mass on the energy cost during normal walking

摘要

Since the 1950s, Saunders et al. 1953 hypothesised that during walking we reduce the amplitude of the vertical displacement (A_v) of the body's centre of mass (CM_b), by the means of specific lower limb kinematics, in order to minimise the energy expenditure and optimise our gait (Saunders et al. 1953). Saunders' theory has been generally well accepted by researchers, seemingly to the point that it is often no longer considered to be hypothetical but is regarded as fact. Our aims were twofold: 1) what would be the influence on the energy expenditure if A_v is reduced further during walking? 2) and what would happen when we modulate A_v?