Foot arch is important for force transfer and shock absorption in impact sports. The purposes of this study were to measure the height of foot arch in static standing and dynamic activities, and to compare the difference of foot arch between level walking, vertical jump and sprint start. Twenty-three healthy subjects were recruited in this study. Significant differences between non-weight beari...

In biomechanics, explanatory template models are used to identify the basic mechanisms of human locomotion. However, model predictions often lack verification in a realistic environment. We present a method that uses template model mechanics as a blueprint for a bipedal robot and a corresponding computer simulation. The hypotheses derived from template model studies concerning the function of h...

the aim of this study was to evaluate the health–related physical fitness status of men aged between 50 and 65 in isfahan. 385 non-athlete men (mean age: 57.73±4.65 years, height: 167.94±6.04 cm, weight: 76.88±9.45 kg) aged between 50 and 65 were randomly selected as the sample. this study used physical fitness standard tests including flexibility test of sit and reach, rockport walking, curl-u...

A unified framework is established for general balance stability criteria of biped systems. The regions balanced and steppable states are partitions the center-of-mass (COM) state space that augmented systems tasks. Their boundaries set maximum allowable COM velocity perturbations, under which a specified contact can be maintained (balanced) or desired step made (steppable). Whole-body models w...

It is unclear whether military shoes (combat boots and sports shoes) attenuate loading rate or affect force transfer during walking. Therefore, this study compared ground reaction forces (GRF) related to impact between combat boots, shoes, running shoes. Ten army recruits walked over a walkway with two plates embedded. GRF were measured when walking barefoot (for data normalisation) Loading rat...

The passive dynamics of bipedal limbs alone are sufficient to produce a walking motion, without need for control. Humans augment these dynamics with muscles, actively coordinated to produce stable and economical walking. Present robots using passive dynamics walk much slower, perhaps because they lack elastic muscles that couple the joints. Elastic properties are well known to enhance running g...

Larger terrestrial animals tend to support their weight with more upright limbs. This makes structural sense, reducing the loading on muscles and bones, which is disproportionately challenging in larger animals. However, it does not account for why smaller animals are more crouched; instead, they could enjoy relatively more slender supporting structures or higher safety factors. Here, an altern...

OBJECTIVE Little is known about the processes and factors that account for maintenance, with several theories existing that have not been subject to many empirical tests. The aim of this study was to test how well theoretical constructs derived from the Health Action Process Approach, Rothman's theory of maintenance, and Verplanken's approach to habitual behavior predicted maintenance of attend...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate if depressive symptoms affect recovery of walking ability and 1-year institutionalization or mortality in older adults who underwent post-hip fracture (HF) surgery rehabilitation. METHODS Depressive symptoms were assessed on admission using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), with scores ≥10/15 indicating moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Multidimensional...