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Natural variability increases human walking metabolic costs and its implications to simulation-based metabolic
1Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, 201, W. 19th Ave, Columbus, 43210, Ohio, United States.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|March 31, 2025
Summary
Stride-to-stride variability in human walking increases metabolic cost. Neglecting this variability in simulations can lead to significant misestimations of energy expenditure during locomotion.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Locomotion
- Metabolic Cost Estimation
Background:
- Human walking exhibits natural stride-to-stride variability.
- This variability may stem from sensory/motor noise or motor learning.
- Current models may overlook this variability, potentially affecting metabolic cost accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify metabolic estimation errors from neglecting stride variability.
- To compare metabolic costs of variable vs. averaged walking strides.
- To investigate the impact of noise on metabolic cost in a simplified model.
Main Methods:
- Utilized human walking data and a musculoskeletal model.
- Compared metabolic cost of multiple strides versus a single averaged stride.
- Employed a feedback-controlled inverted pendulum model with simulated noise.
Main Results:
- Averaging strides underestimated metabolic cost by ~2.5%.
- Random stride estimations showed errors up to +/- 15%.
- Increased sensory/motor noise elevated metabolic cost and its variability.
Conclusions:
- Stride-to-stride variability significantly impacts metabolic cost of walking.
- Accurate metabolic cost estimation requires accounting for gait variability.
- Simulations neglecting variability may lead to substantial errors.
