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Comparison of Kinetic Characteristics of Footwork during Stroke in Table Tennis: Cross-Step and Chasse Step
Published on: June 16, 2021
It pays to have a spring in your step
Gregory S Sawicki1, Cara L Lewis, Daniel P Ferris
1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews
|June 25, 2009
Summary
The Achilles tendon stores and returns elastic energy during walking, significantly boosting ankle muscle efficiency. This mechanism enhances walking efficiency more than knee or hip joint actions.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human locomotion
- Musculoskeletal system
Background:
- Walking requires substantial mechanical work from human muscle-tendons.
- Ankle joint muscle-tendons contribute significantly to this work.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the Achilles tendon in walking efficiency.
- To compare the contribution of ankle, knee, and hip joints to mechanical work during locomotion.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of mechanical work during human walking.
- Focus on muscle-tendon units crossing major lower limb joints.
Main Results:
- A large portion of walking's mechanical work is performed by ankle muscle-tendons.
- Elastic energy storage and return in the Achilles tendon greatly enhance ankle muscle-tendon efficiency.
Conclusions:
- The Achilles tendon's elastic properties are crucial for efficient walking.
- Ankle joint mechanisms are more efficient than knee and hip joints due to the Achilles tendon's function.
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