Neuromuscular mechanisms governing knee joint biomechanics during normal gait

在截肢过程中，下肢的关节-特别是膝关节-必须承受施加在它们上的巨大力量，以允许平稳有效地继续向前推进。虽然骨骼和韧带等结构可以帮助分配这些力，但我们的肌肉被认为主要负责吸收这些力并随着时间的推移保护关节。以前的研究人员曾试图模拟步行过程中整个膝关节的力分布，但由于缺乏有关负重活动期间下肢解剖结构的信息以及难以隔离肌肉激活对运动参数的影响，这些模型的准确性有限。拟议的机械研究计划将提供新的信息，不仅在步行过程中的肌肉功能和膝关节负荷方面的关系，但正常人体运动的神经肌肉控制。

During ambulation, the joints of the lower limb - the knee in particular - must withstand large forces exerted onto them to permit the smooth and efficient continuation of forward progression. While structures such as bones and ligaments can assist in the distribution of these forces, our muscles are believed to be primarily responsible for absorption of these forces and to protect the joints over time. Previous researchers have attempted to model the distribution of forces throughout the knee joint during walking, though these models are limited in their accuracy due to a lack of information regarding the anatomy of the lower limb during weight-bearing activities and the difficulty in isolating the effects of muscle activation on movement parameters. The proposed mechanistic research program will provide new information about not only the relationships between aspects of muscle function and loading at the knee joint during walking, but the neuromuscular control of normal human movement.