[Morphometric characteristics of the muscles of the lower extremities during movement in the human]

Systemic investigation of the mechanisms that control locomotions in the man provides elaboration of some problems concerning properties and construction of the locomotory apparatus, especially morphometric characteristics of the muscles--length and shoulder of the thrust force. Various methods for determining length and shoulder of the thrust force are considered. The first method is based on substituting the muscles for mathematical or mechanical model. The second method makes it possible to define the degree of the muscle elongation by means of measuring the distance between the ends of the sectioned tendon; it includes regression equations, connecting a relative elongation of the muscles with the angle change in the joints. As a result of perfection of the previously known methods, mathematical models are made, owing to them it is possible to calculate morphometric characteristics of 8 muscles in the lower extremities using computer facilities. As an example, results of calculations, by means of various methods, morphometric characteristics of the gastrocnemius muscle are presented. They are obtained at registration of the kinematics of the run with a maximal speed. Satisfactive coincidence of the results is obtained.