Science
of running
Researchers
are exploring the ‘simplistic’ science behind running to better understand the
‘complicated’ mechanism that governs walking. The study will help improve
prosthetics
Muscle size,
genetics and training are among the countless factors that separate Olympic
sprinters from the average person. On a fundamental level, however, the
mechanicsofrunningarethesamefor all humans. In fact, they’re basically
identical for animals too.
“Science has shown that running is very similar to a bouncing ball,” says Young-Hui Chang, an associate professor who oversees Georgia Tech’s “running lab,” officially called the Comparative Neuromechanics Laboratory. “When humans, horses and even cockroaches run, their centre of mass bounces just like a pogo stick.”
This bouncing effect, Chang explains, means that the hip, knee and ankle joints all flex and extend at the same time when the foot hits the ground. Many of the leg muscles are turned on simultaneously, creating force and propelling the runner into the air.
“The greater the force, the greater thespeed,”saidChang.“Sprintersand coaches are constantly studying ways to move leg muscles and joints as quicklyaspossiblesothatarunnercan hit the ground as hard as possible.”
Elite runners and weekend joggers are able to consistently land with the same force, step after step. However, Chang’sresearchrevealsthatastrideis justlikeafingerprint:notwoareexactly alike. The torque generated by each joint is never the same. As a result, your legs have a mind of their own.
“Yourknee,forexample,automatically adjusts its own torque, each step, based on what the ankle and hip do,” said Chang. “All of this happens without your brain getting directly involved.Yourjoints‘talk’toeachother, allowing you to concentrate on other things, like having a conversation or watching for cars.”
By studying how joints adapt to one another, Chang and his team will soon work with amputees to hopefullyimprovemovementforpeoplewith prostheses.Theresearchersarealsousing their running studies to understand how people walk.
“It may seem backwards to fully understand the nuances of running before we study walking, but walking mechanics are actually more complex. Different muscles are activated at different times in a gait cycle. Joints don’t move in unison. There is no ‘bouncing ball’ phenomenon for walkers.” MM120804
“Science has shown that running is very similar to a bouncing ball,” says Young-Hui Chang, an associate professor who oversees Georgia Tech’s “running lab,” officially called the Comparative Neuromechanics Laboratory. “When humans, horses and even cockroaches run, their centre of mass bounces just like a pogo stick.”
This bouncing effect, Chang explains, means that the hip, knee and ankle joints all flex and extend at the same time when the foot hits the ground. Many of the leg muscles are turned on simultaneously, creating force and propelling the runner into the air.
“The greater the force, the greater thespeed,”saidChang.“Sprintersand coaches are constantly studying ways to move leg muscles and joints as quicklyaspossiblesothatarunnercan hit the ground as hard as possible.”
Elite runners and weekend joggers are able to consistently land with the same force, step after step. However, Chang’sresearchrevealsthatastrideis justlikeafingerprint:notwoareexactly alike. The torque generated by each joint is never the same. As a result, your legs have a mind of their own.
“Yourknee,forexample,automatically adjusts its own torque, each step, based on what the ankle and hip do,” said Chang. “All of this happens without your brain getting directly involved.Yourjoints‘talk’toeachother, allowing you to concentrate on other things, like having a conversation or watching for cars.”
By studying how joints adapt to one another, Chang and his team will soon work with amputees to hopefullyimprovemovementforpeoplewith prostheses.Theresearchersarealsousing their running studies to understand how people walk.
“It may seem backwards to fully understand the nuances of running before we study walking, but walking mechanics are actually more complex. Different muscles are activated at different times in a gait cycle. Joints don’t move in unison. There is no ‘bouncing ball’ phenomenon for walkers.” MM120804
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