Our overall objective is to synthesize two approaches to quantifying the biomechanical basis for the metabolic energy required for locomotion. The classical approach measures only the mechanical work performed and assumes that the metabolic energy required for isometric muscle activity is negligible. More recently, Kram and Taylor used a comparative zoological approach to test an alternative """"""""cost of generating force"""""""" hypothesis. Their results indicate that the generation of muscular force to operate musculoskeletal springs is the dominant energy consuming process and that performing mechanical work has negligible cost. Empirical data supports aspects of each approach, but neither method can comprehensively explain all available data. The logical progression is to further develop the cost of generating force approach on human subjects and to deduce a quantitative, empirically based synthesis of the two approaches. We will test: Hypothesis 1. the metabolic cost of normal human walking is dominated by equal costs of performing external mechanical work on the center mass and of generating force to support body weight and Hypothesis 2. the metabolic cost of normal human running is determined primarily by the cost of generating vertical force to support body weight.
Specific aims are to determine what fractions of the total metabolic energy demand are determined by the swinging of the legs, supporting body weight and performing mechanical work on the body center of mass. Experiments will systematically increase or decrease the forces and work required independently and measure the effect of these manipulations on the metabolic energy demand. Experimental manipulations involve simulated hypo-gravity, hyper-gravity, added mass, increased inertia and externally applied horizontal forces. These experiments will be the first that can independently vary and measure mechanical work and force generation. We will then be able to synthesize our results into a coherent overall picture for what muscular actions determine the metabolic cost. These experiments are only now feasible due to newly developed procedures (e.g., simulated hypo-gravity) and biomechanical equipment (e.g., a force measuring treadmill). Locomotion is energetically very expensive in individuals with metabolic (obesity), structural (lower extremity amputees), or gait disorders (cerebral palsy) and thus the energy cost itself can limit mobility. Understanding the basic mechanisms that determine the cost of locomotion will allow for more informed evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of these conditions.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
First Independent Research Support & Transition (FIRST) Awards (R29)
Project #
7R29AR044688-05
Application #
6557989
Study Section
Respiratory and Applied Physiology Study Section (RAP)
Program Officer
Lymn, Richard W
Project Start
1998-07-10
Project End
2003-06-30
Budget Start
2001-07-03
Budget End
2002-06-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$103,529
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Colorado at Boulder
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
Boulder
State
CO
Country
United States
Zip Code
80309
Zani, Peter A; Kram, Rodger (2008) Low metabolic cost of locomotion in ornate box turtles, Terrapene ornata. J Exp Biol 211:3671-6
Browning, Raymond C; Modica, Jesse R; Kram, Rodger et al. (2007) The effects of adding mass to the legs on the energetics and biomechanics of walking. Med Sci Sports Exerc 39:515-25
Chang, Young-Hui; Kram, Rodger (2007) Limitations to maximum running speed on flat curves. J Exp Biol 210:971-82
Browning, Raymond C; Baker, Emily A; Herron, Jessica A et al. (2006) Effects of obesity and sex on the energetic cost and preferred speed of walking. J Appl Physiol 100:390-8
Gottschall, Jinger S; Kram, Rodger (2005) Ground reaction forces during downhill and uphill running. J Biomech 38:445-52
Gottschall, Jinger S; Kram, Rodger (2005) Energy cost and muscular activity required for leg swing during walking. J Appl Physiol 99:23-30
Grabowski, Alena; Farley, Claire T; Kram, Rodger (2005) Independent metabolic costs of supporting body weight and accelerating body mass during walking. J Appl Physiol 98:579-83
Modica, Jesse R; Kram, Rodger (2005) Metabolic energy and muscular activity required for leg swing in running. J Appl Physiol 98:2126-31
Browning, Raymond C; Kram, Rodger (2005) Energetic cost and preferred speed of walking in obese vs. normal weight women. Obes Res 13:891-9
Zani, Peter A; Gottschall, Jinger S; Kram, Rodger (2005) Giant Galapagos tortoises walk without inverted pendulum mechanical-energy exchange. J Exp Biol 208:1489-94

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