Host: The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers
Name : [in Japanese]
Date : June 28, 2023 - July 01, 2023
Recent studies have reported that human runners may run more efficiently with passive equipment. In this study, we examined whether a passive external tendon connecting the legs would improve running performance and running economy. Our results obtained from energy expenditure analysis showed that the passive external tendon connecting the legs had a positive impact on running economy, supporting previous studies. On the other hand, the results also showed that the external tendon had a negative impact in some cases. For a runner to obtain effective performance with the passive external tendon, not only the strength of the external tendon but also the runner's running style and posture must be fully considered. Further research including deeper kinematic and kinetic perspectives is needed to find the optimal "sweet spot" of intervention that can fully exploit the mechanical function of the passive external tendon.
