Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 3, 2025

Oscillation and Reaction Board Techniques for Estimating Inertial Properties of a Below-knee Prosthesis
Published on: May 8, 2014
Increasing the stability of the spring loaded inverted pendulum model of running with a wobbling mass
Samuel E Masters1, John H Challis1
1Biomechanics Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802-3408, USA.
Abstract:
Human running can be simulated using a simple model called the spring-loaded inverted pendulum (SLIP). The SLIP model predicts some aspects of running including the self-stabilizing properties of running. In human locomotion energy is dissipated due to the passive motion of the soft tissue. However, little is known about the effects of this energy dissipation on the dynamics of running. This study utilizes a SLIP model with an additional spring-mass-damper system to study the effects of energy dissipation due to an additional wobbling mass on the self-stabilizing properties of human running. It was found that the additional spring-mass-damper system increased the self-stabilizing properties of the SLIP model and increased its robustness to perturbations. This suggests that increasing stability is one of the effects of energy dissipation due to the passive motion of a wobbling mass during human running.
Related Concept Videos
Simple Pendulum
The period of a simple pendulum depends on two factors: its length and the acceleration due to gravity. The period is completely independent of any other factors, such as mass or maximum displacement. For small displacements, a pendulum is...
Physical Pendulum
When dealing with complicated systems, the mass moment of inertia is an important parameter, as it...
Rigid Body Equilibrium Problems - II
Consider two children sitting on a seesaw, which has negligible mass. The first child has a mass (m1) of 26 kg and sits at point A, which is 1.6 meters (r1) from the pivot point B; the second child has a mass (m2) of 32 kg and sits at point C. How far from the pivot point B should the second child sit (r2) to balance the seesaw?
Stability of Equilibrium Configuration: Problem Solving
Problem-solving in the context of the stability of equilibrium configuration...
Stability of structures
Torsional Pendulum
As long as the rigid body's angular displacement is small, its oscillation can be modeled as a linear angular oscillation. The amplitude of the oscillation is an angle. The role of mass is played...

