The effects of sloped surfaces on locomotion: backward walking as a perturbation.

The purpose of this study was to examine lower extremity kinetics and muscle activity during backward slope walking to clarify the relationship between joint moments and powers and muscle activity patterns observed in forward slope walking. Nine healthy volunteers walked backward on an instrumented ramp at three grades (-39% (-21 degrees ), 0% (level), +39% (+21 degrees )). EMG activity was recorded from major lower extremity muscles.

The effects of sloped surfaces on locomotion: an electromyographic analysis.

Investigations using quadrupeds have suggested that the motor programs used for slope walking differ from that used for level walking. This idea has not yet been explored in humans. The aim of this study was to use electromyographic (EMG) signals obtained during level and slope walking to complement previously published joint angle and joint moment data in elucidating such control strategies.

Characterization of a system for studying human gait during slope walking.

Sloped walking surfaces provide a unique environment for examining the biomechanics and neural control of locomotion. While sloped surfaces have been used in a variety of studies in recent years, the current literature provides little if any discussion of the integrity, i.e.

The effects of sloped surfaces on locomotion: a kinematic and kinetic analysis.

Previous findings from studies of demanding tasks in humans and slope walking in quadrupeds suggest that human slope walking may require specialized neural control strategies. The goal of this investigation was to gain insight into these strategies by quantifying lower limb kinematics and kinetics during up- and downslope walking. Nine healthy volunteers walked at a self-selected speed on an instrumented ramp at each of five grades (-39%, -15%, 0%, +15%, +39%; or -21 degrees, -8.

Mechanical characterization of collagen fibers and scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Engineered tissues must utilize scaffolding biomaterials that support desired cellular functions and possess or can develop appropriate mechanical characteristics. This study assessed properties of collagen as a scaffolding biomaterial for ligament replacements. Mechanical properties of extruded bovine achilles tendon collagen fibers were significantly affected by fiber diameter, with smaller fibers displaying higher tangent moduli and peak stresses.