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Mechanisms contributing to different joint moments observed during human walking
E B Simonsen1, P Dyhre-Poulsen, M Voigt
1Institute of Medical Anatomy Section C, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. E.Simonsen@mai.ku.dk
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports
|February 1, 1997
Summary
The knee joint flexor moment during walking arises from ankle plantar flexor moments, not external forces. Muscle interactions, like soleus and hamstring activity, dictate knee and hip joint moments for efficient locomotion.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Locomotion
- Musculoskeletal Dynamics
Background:
- A knee joint flexor moment during walking is inconsistently reported.
- Understanding its origin is crucial for analyzing gait mechanics.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate factors causing the knee joint flexor moment during walking.
- Clarify the relationship between ankle, knee, and hip joint moments.
Main Methods:
- High-speed filming and electromyography (EMG) of leg muscles in healthy males.
- Inverse dynamics to calculate net joint moments (ankle, knee, hip).
- Floor reaction force vector (FRFV) approach to calculate external moments.
Main Results:
- Knee joint flexor moment could not be explained by opposing external moments.
- The simplified FRFV method had inaccuracies for joints above the ankle.
- A significant plantar flexor moment at the ankle directly influenced the knee joint flexor moment.
- Muscle actions (e.g., soleus, hamstrings) were key in generating opposing knee moments.
Conclusions:
- The knee joint flexor moment is primarily an internal, muscle-driven phenomenon, not solely due to external ground reaction forces.
- Ankle joint moments, influenced by foot placement, drive subsequent knee and hip joint moments.
- Segment interactions and control of the ground reaction vector dictate knee and hip moments for efficient walking.