Hello All, Does anyone know if there is a forum where people discuss the physics-based aspects of modeling the human runner. I work with the spring-mass model as first computerized by R Blickhan (1) and a swing leg model. I use the models to estimate the mass specific power (watts/kg) expenditure of runners due to leg-expansion and leg-swing. The values are reasonably close to those found in the earlier research of G Cavagna (2). The purpose of the calculation is to numerically quantify and estimate the power required (watts/kg) by a bipedal runner and compare the estimates with the runner's input metabolic power (mlOfO2/(km-min)) (3). Is there an existing forum where researchers discuss these quantitative engineering and physics-based issues as they relate to the human runner? Ted Andresen St. Petersburg, Florida, USA 727-526-6440 [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) Understanding the Spring Mass Model for running: _http://mysite.verizon.net/tjacmc/SM/_ (http://mysite.verizon.net/tjacmc/SM/) Footnotes: (1) Blickhan, R.: The spring-mass model for running and hopping. J. Biomech: 22, 1217-1227, 1989 (2) These calculations agree with G Cavanaga’s data as presented in Figure 1 of his research on: The resonant step frequency in human running, GA Cavagna, et al, Eur J Physiol (1997) 434:678–684 The two power limits conditioning step frequency in human Running, G A Cavagna, P A Willems, P Franzetti and C Detrembleur, J. Physiol. 1991;437;95-108 (3) This is based of based on Cooper’s equation for oxygen consumption. O2 consumption can be converted to watts/kg by dividing it by ~3.
