Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

A Human-machine-interface Integrating Low-cost Sensors with a Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation System for Post-stroke Balance Rehabilitation
Published on: April 12, 2016
A minimum energy cost hypothesis for human arm trajectories
1Department of Biology, University of Leeds, UK.
Abstract:
Many tasks require the arm to move from its initial position to a specified target position, but leave us free to choose the trajectory between them. This paper presents and tests the hypothesis that trajectories are chosen to minimize metabolic energy costs. Costs are calculated for the range of possible trajectories, for movements between the end points used in previously published experiments. Calculated energy minimizing trajectories for a model with biarticular elbow muscles agree well with observed trajectories for fast movements. Good agreement is also obtained for slow movements if they are assumed to be performed by slower muscles. A model in which all muscles are uniarticular is less successful in predicting observed trajectories. The effects of loads and of reversing the direction of movement are investigated.
Related Concept Videos
Power Expended by a Constant Force
Energy Diagrams - I
Take the example of a skater on a parabolic ramp. The potential energy at different points along the ramp will be proportional to the height of the ramp, which varies quadratically with the horizontal position on the ramp. As the skater moves down the ramp from the highest position,...
Energy Diagrams - II
The point in the energy diagram at which the system’s potential energy is the lowest is known as the local minima. The system tends to stay in this position indefinitely unless acted upon by a net force. The slope of the potential energy diagram at the local minima is zero, indicating that zero net force is acting on the system. The slope...
Work and Energy for Variable Forces
Work-Energy Theorem for Motion Along a Curve
Kinetic Energy for a Rigid Body

