JN Fuel your research with LabChart
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

J Neurophysiol 79: 2155-2170, 1998;
0022-3077/98 $5.00
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Bianchi, L.
Right arrow Articles by Lacquaniti, F.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Bianchi, L.
Right arrow Articles by Lacquaniti, F.

The Journal of Neurophysiology Vol. 79 No. 4 April 1998, pp. 2155-2170
Copyright ©1998 The American Physiological Society

Kinematic Coordination in Human Gait: Relation to Mechanical Energy Cost

L. Bianchi, D. Angelini, G. P. Orani, and F. Lacquaniti

Human Physiology Section, Scientific Institute S. Lucia, National Research Council, University of Tor Vergata, 00179 Rome, Italy

Bianchi, L., D. Angelini, G. P. Orani, and F. Lacquaniti. Kinematic coordination in human gait: relation to mechanical energy cost. J. Neurophysiol. 79: 2155-2170, 1998. Twenty-four subjects walked at different, freely chosen speeds (V) ranging from 0.4 to 2.6 m s-1, while the motion and the ground reaction forces were recorded in three-dimensional space. We considered the time course of the changes of the angles of elevation of the trunk, pelvis, thigh, shank, and foot in the sagittal plane. These angles specify the orientation of each segment with respect to the vertical and to the direction of forward progression. The changes of the trunk and pelvis angles are of limited amplitude and reflect the dynamics of both right and left lower limbs. The changes of the thigh, shank, and foot elevation are ample, and they are coupled tightly among each other. When these angles are plotted one versus the others, they describe regular loops constrained on a plane. The plane of angular covariation rotates, slightly but systematically, along the long axis of the gait loop with increasing V. The rotation, quantified by the change of the direction cosine of the normal to the plane with the thigh axis (u3t), is related to a progressive phase shift between the foot elevation and the shank elevation with increasing V. As a next step in the analysis, we computed the mass-specific mean absolute power (Pu) to obtain a global estimate of the rate at which mechanical work is performed during the gait cycle. When plotted on logarithmic coordinates, Pu increases linearly with V. The slope of this relationship varies considerably across subjects, spanning a threefold range. We found that, at any given V > 1 m s-1, the value of the plane orientation (u3t) is correlated with the corresponding value of the net mechanical power (Pu). On the average, the progressive rotation of the plane with increasing V is associated with a reduction of the increment of Pu that would occur if u3t remained constant at the value characteristic of low V. The specific orientation of the plane at any given speed is not the same in all subjects, but there is an orderly shift of the plane orientation that correlates with the net power expended by each subject. In general, smaller values of u3t tend to be associated with smaller values of Pu and vice versa. We conclude that the parametric tuning of the plane of angular covariation is a reliable predictor of the mechanical energy expenditure of each subject and could be used by the nervous system for limiting the overall energy expenditure.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J. Neurophysiol.Home page
Y. P. Ivanenko, A. d'Avella, R. E. Poppele, and F. Lacquaniti
On the Origin of Planar Covariation of Elevation Angles During Human Locomotion
J Neurophysiol, April 1, 2008; 99(4): 1890 - 1898.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Neurosci.Home page
Y. P. Ivanenko, G. Cappellini, N. Dominici, R. E. Poppele, and F. Lacquaniti
Modular Control of Limb Movements during Human Locomotion
J. Neurosci., October 10, 2007; 27(41): 11149 - 11161.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Neurorehabil Neural RepairHome page
G. Scivoletto, Y. Ivanenko, B. Morganti, R. Grasso, M. Zago, F. Lacquaniti, J. Ditunno, and M. Molinari
Review Article: Plasticity of Spinal Centers in Spinal Cord Injury Patients: New Concepts for Gait Evaluation and Training
Neurorehabil Neural Repair, July 1, 2007; 21(4): 358 - 365.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Neurophysiol.Home page
N. Dominici, Y. P. Ivanenko, and F. Lacquaniti
Control of Foot Trajectory in Walking Toddlers: Adaptation to Load Changes
J Neurophysiol, April 1, 2007; 97(4): 2790 - 2801.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Neurophysiol.Home page
H. Hicheur, A. V. Terekhov, and A. Berthoz
Intersegmental Coordination During Human Locomotion: Does Planar Covariation of Elevation Angles Reflect Central Constraints?
J Neurophysiol, September 1, 2006; 96(3): 1406 - 1419.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Rheumatology (Oxford)Home page
D. Laroche, T. Pozzo, P. Ornetti, C. Tavernier, and J. F. Maillefert
Effects of loss of metatarsophalangeal joint mobility on gait in rheumatoid arthritis patients
Rheumatology, April 1, 2006; 45(4): 435 - 440.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Neurophysiol.Home page
Y. P. Ivanenko, N. Dominici, G. Cappellini, and F. Lacquaniti
Kinematics in Newly Walking Toddlers Does Not Depend Upon Postural Stability
J Neurophysiol, July 1, 2005; 94(1): 754 - 763.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Neurophysiol.Home page
G. Courtine, R. R. Roy, J. Hodgson, H. McKay, J. Raven, H. Zhong, H. Yang, M. H. Tuszynski, and V. R. Edgerton
Kinematic and EMG Determinants in Quadrupedal Locomotion of a Non-Human Primate (Rhesus)
J Neurophysiol, June 1, 2005; 93(6): 3127 - 3145.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Neurophysiol.Home page
J. S. Thomas, D. M. Corcos, and Z. Hasan
Kinematic and Kinetic Constraints on Arm, Trunk, and Leg Segments in Target-Reaching Movements
J Neurophysiol, January 1, 2005; 93(1): 352 - 364.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
Y. P. Ivanenko, N. Dominici, G. Cappellini, B. Dan, G. Cheron, and F. Lacquaniti
Development of pendulum mechanism and kinematic coordination from the first unsupported steps in toddlers
J. Exp. Biol., October 1, 2004; 207(21): 3797 - 3810.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 BrainHome page
R. Grasso, Y. P. Ivanenko, M. Zago, M. Molinari, G. Scivoletto, V. Castellano, V. Macellari, and F. Lacquaniti
Distributed plasticity of locomotor pattern generators in spinal cord injured patients
Brain, May 1, 2004; 127(5): 1019 - 1034.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Neurophysiol.Home page
G. Courtine and M. Schieppati
Tuning of a Basic Coordination Pattern Constructs Straight-Ahead and Curved Walking in Humans
J Neurophysiol, April 1, 2004; 91(4): 1524 - 1535.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Neurophysiol.Home page
G. Bosco, A. Rankin, and R. E. Poppele
Modulation of Dorsal Spinocerebellar Responses to Limb Movement. I. Effect of Serotonin
J Neurophysiol, November 1, 2003; 90(5): 3361 - 3371.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Neurophysiol.Home page
Y. P. Ivanenko, R. Grasso, M. Zago, M. Molinari,, G. Scivoletto, V. Castellano, V. Macellari, and F. Lacquaniti,
Temporal Components of the Motor Patterns Expressed by the Human Spinal Cord Reflect Foot Kinematics
J Neurophysiol, November 1, 2003; 90(5): 3555 - 3565.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Neurophysiol.Home page
K. D. Pfann, D. M. Corcos, C. G. Moore, and Z. Hasan
Circle-Drawing Movements at Different Speeds: Role of Inertial Anisotropy
J Neurophysiol, November 1, 2002; 88(5): 2399 - 2407.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Neurophysiol.Home page
Y. P. Ivanenko, R. Grasso, V. Macellari, and F. Lacquaniti
Control of Foot Trajectory in Human Locomotion: Role of Ground Contact Forces in Simulated Reduced Gravity
J Neurophysiol, June 1, 2002; 87(6): 3070 - 3089.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Neurophysiol.Home page
C. A. McGibbon and D. E. Krebs
Age-Related Changes in Lower Trunk Coordination and Energy Transfer During Gait
J Neurophysiol, May 1, 2001; 85(5): 1923 - 1931.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Physiol. Rev.Home page
G. Bosco and R. E. Poppele
Proprioception From a Spinocerebellar Perspective
Physiol Rev, April 1, 2001; 81(2): 539 - 568.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Neurophysiol.Home page
Y. P. Ivanenko, R. Grasso, and F. Lacquaniti
Influence of Leg Muscle Vibration on Human Walking
J Neurophysiol, October 1, 2000; 84(4): 1737 - 1747.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Neurophysiol.Home page
G. Bosco, R. E. Poppele, and J. Eian
Reference Frames for Spinal Proprioception: Limb Endpoint Based or Joint-Level Based?
J Neurophysiol, May 1, 2000; 83(5): 2931 - 2945.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Neurophysiol.Home page
R. Grasso, M. Zago, and F. Lacquaniti
Interactions Between Posture and Locomotion: Motor Patterns in Humans Walking With Bent Posture Versus Erect Posture
J Neurophysiol, January 1, 2000; 83(1): 288 - 300.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PhysiologyHome page
F. Lacquaniti, R. Grasso, and M. Zago
Motor Patterns in Walking
Physiology, August 1, 1999; 14(4): 168 - 174.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Neurophysiol.Home page
R. Grasso, L. Bianchi, and F. Lacquaniti
Motor Patterns for Human Gait: Backward Versus Forward Locomotion
J Neurophysiol, October 1, 1998; 80(4): 1868 - 1885.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Visit Other APS Journals Online