Muscle Metabolic Energy Costs While Modifying Propulsive Force Generation During Walking

Abstract

We pose that an age-related increase in the metabolic cost of walking arises in part from a redistribution of joint power where muscles spanning the hip compensate for insufficient ankle push-off and smaller peak propulsive forces (FP). Young adults elicit a similar redistribution when walking with smaller FP via biofeedback. We used targeted FP biofeedback and musculoskeletal models to estimate the metabolic costs of operating lower limb muscles in young adults walking across a range of FP. Our simulations support the theory of distal-to-proximal redistribution of joint power as a determinant of increased metabolic cost in older adults during walking.

Exercise with Wearable Hip-assist Robot Improved Physical Function and Walking Efficiency in Older Adults

“…This redistribution could explain, at least in part, why elderly people pay greater metabolic energy costs for walking than younger people and might therefore be considered maladaptive 50 . The functional consequences of higher metabolic energy costs include reduced physical activity and independence, gait ine ciency, and lower quality of life 51 . In our study, the experimental group showed signi cant improvements in muscle strength of the trunk and lower extremities after EX1 exercise.…”