Supplementing joint stiffness during human locomotion

申请人之前对垂直跳跃、跑步和短跑的能量学研究表明，脚踝、膝盖和臀部等下肢关节经常像旋转弹簧一样工作。事实上，像脚踝这样的关节可以完全被被动的机械弹簧所取代，并且仍然可以在跑步和短跑等活动中取得非常成功的表现。例如，奥斯卡·皮斯托瑞斯以10秒91的成绩保持着双腿截肢男子100米短跑的世界纪录！因此，在各种运动过程中，这些关节的能量储存和返回的概念是高度相关的。然而，问题仍然是补充当前完整和功能关节的刚度是否会影响性能。可以使用放置在服装中的弹性元件来帮助肌肉执行特定的动作。事实上，在我们的一些初步研究中，在运动服的臀部放置弹性结构产生了更好的效果，并在2008年北京奥运会上得到了应用。

Previous research by the applicant on the energetics of vertical jumping, running and sprinting indicated that lower extremity joints such as the ankle, knee and hip often work like rotational springs. In fact, joints such as the ankle can be replaced entirely by passive mechanical springs and still result in highly successful performances in activities such as running and sprinting. For example, Oscar Pistorius holds the world record in the mens 100m sprint for double amputees at 10.91s! Thus, the concept of energy storage and return at these joints during various movements is highly relevant. However, the question remains whether or not supplementing the stiffness of currently intact and functional joints can influence performance. It may be possible to use elastic elements placed in apparel to aid the muscles in performing particular movements. In fact, some of our initial studies with elastic structures placed at the hip in athletic suits have resulted in better performance and have been used in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.