Modulating Multiarticular Energy during Human Walking and Running with an Unpowered Exoskeleton. 2022

Tiancheng Zhou, and Zhijie Zhou, and Hanwen Zhang, and Wenbin Chen
State Key Laboratory of Digital Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Institute of Medical Equipment Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China.

Researchers have made advances in reducing the metabolic rate of both walking and running by modulating mono-articular energy with exoskeletons. However, how to modulate multiarticular energy with exoskeletons to improve the energy economy of both walking and running is still a challenging problem, due to the lack of understanding of energy transfer among human lower-limb joints. Based on the study of the energy recycling and energy transfer function of biarticular muscles, we proposed a hip-knee unpowered exoskeleton that emulates and reinforces the function of the hamstrings and rectus femoris in different gait phases. The biarticular exo-tendon of the exoskeleton assists hamstrings to recycle the kinetic energy of the leg swing while providing hip extension torque in the swing phase. In the following stance phase, the exo-tendon releases the stored energy to assist the co-contraction of gluteus maximus and rectus femoris for both hip extension and knee extension, thus realizing the phased modulation of hip and knee joint energy. The metabolic rate of both walking (1.5 m/s) and running (2.5 m/s) can be reduced by 6.2% and 4.0% with the multiarticular energy modulation of a hip-knee unpowered exoskeleton, compared to that of walking and running without an exoskeleton. The bio-inspired design method of this study may inspire people to develop devices that assist multiple gaits in the future.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007717 Knee A region of the lower extremity immediately surrounding and including the KNEE JOINT.
D007719 Knee Joint A synovial hinge connection formed between the bones of the FEMUR; TIBIA; and PATELLA. Superior Tibiofibular Joint,Joint, Knee,Joint, Superior Tibiofibular,Knee Joints,Superior Tibiofibular Joints,Tibiofibular Joint, Superior
D005684 Gait Manner or style of walking. Gaits
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000067190 Exoskeleton Device Device designed to wear externally to support muscular skeletal system in various movements such as RANGE OF MOTIONS; WEIGHT-BEARING; GAIT; and LOCOMOTION. Robotic Exoskeleton,Device, Exoskeleton,Devices, Exoskeleton,Exoskeleton Devices,Exoskeleton, Robotic,Exoskeletons, Robotic,Robotic Exoskeletons
D001696 Biomechanical Phenomena The properties, processes, and behavior of biological systems under the action of mechanical forces. Biomechanics,Kinematics,Biomechanic Phenomena,Mechanobiological Phenomena,Biomechanic,Biomechanic Phenomenas,Phenomena, Biomechanic,Phenomena, Biomechanical,Phenomena, Mechanobiological,Phenomenas, Biomechanic
D016138 Walking An activity in which the body advances at a slow to moderate pace by moving the feet in a coordinated fashion. This includes recreational walking, walking for fitness, and competitive race-walking. Ambulation

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