Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Positive force feedback in bouncing gaits?

Hartmut Geyer1, Andre Seyfarth, Reinhard Blickhan

  • 1Biomechanics Laboratory, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Seidelstrasse 20, 07749 Jena, Germany. hartmut@ai.mit.edu

Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|October 17, 2003
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Adaptive Biarticular Exosuit Assistance for Faster and More Efficient Walking.

IEEE transactions on neural systems and rehabilitation engineering : a publication of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society·2026
Same author

A modeling approach to understanding poor stability in people with vestibular hypofunction.

Journal of biomechanics·2026
Same author

Concerted control framework for human-exoskeleton co-adaptation using ground reaction forces.

Wearable technologies·2026
Same author

Unified three-dimensional bipedal locomotion control via ground reaction force-based joint compliance modulation.

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·2026
Same author

User preference-based human-in-the-loop tuning of exoskeleton assistance during walking.

npj biomedical innovations·2026
Same author

Spinal Cord Stimulation Improves Deceleration Phase Control during Targeted Reaching Post-Stroke.

Research square·2026
Same journal

Chronic limb loading results in remarkable load carriage economy in growing fowl.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2026
Same journal

Motion-from-structure in face perception: expectations of natural face motion depend on face shape.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2026
Same journal

Unification and generalization of models of zygote survival.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2026
Same journal

Phenological type- and diameter-dependent effects of individual light availability and interannual climate variation on tree growth.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2026
Same journal

Interaction range of common goods shapes Black Queen dynamics beyond the cheater-cooperator narrative.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2026
Same journal

Stingray spine diversity reflects performance trade-offs linked to puncture and breakability.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2026
See all related articles

Muscle reflexes, specifically positive force feedback, can stabilize bouncing gaits like hopping and running. This reflex-based motor control offers an efficient alternative to central commands for locomotion.

Area of Science:

  • Biomechanics
  • Motor Control
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • Bouncing gaits (running, hopping, trotting) utilize passive elastic structures to store and release energy.
  • Active muscles are crucial for maintaining gait by compensating for energy losses and managing tendon strain.
  • Effective muscle activation control is essential for efficient locomotion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of afferent information from muscle receptors in controlling hopping.
  • To explore the potential of muscle receptor feedback for stabilizing bouncing gaits.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a two-segment leg model with a single extensor muscle.
  • Simulated hopping to analyze the effects of muscle-fiber length and muscle force feedback.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Investigated positive force feedback (F+) and positive length feedback mechanisms.

    • Main Results:

    • Positive feedbacks from muscle-fiber length and force can generate periodic bouncing.
    • Positive force feedback (F+) demonstrated superior stabilization of bouncing patterns across various stride energies.
    • F+ enabled elastic leg behavior in moderate hopping (up to 8.8 cm) with predicted frequencies of 1.4-3 Hz and leg stiffness of 9-27 kN m(-1).
    • F+ also showed potential for stabilizing running gaits.

    Conclusions:

    • Muscle receptor feedback, particularly positive force feedback, plays a significant role in stabilizing bouncing gaits.
    • Reflex-generated motor control via feedback mechanisms offers an efficient and reliable alternative to central motor commands during locomotion.
    • This finding has implications for understanding and potentially enhancing motor control strategies in dynamic movements.