What is an artificial muscle? A comparison of soft actuators to biological muscles
DR Higueras-Ruiz, K Nishikawa… - Bioinspiration & …, 2021 - iopscience.iop.org
Interest in emulating the properties of biological muscles that allow for fast adaptability and
control in unstructured environments has motivated researchers to develop new soft …
control in unstructured environments has motivated researchers to develop new soft …
Stepping back to minimal footwear: applications across the lifespan
Minimal footwear has existed for tens of thousands of years and was originally designed to
protect the sole of the foot. Over the past 50 yr, most footwear has become increasingly more …
protect the sole of the foot. Over the past 50 yr, most footwear has become increasingly more …
Foot stiffening during the push-off phase of human walking is linked to active muscle contraction, and not the windlass mechanism
The rigidity of the human foot is often described as a feature of our evolution for upright
walking and is bolstered by a thick plantar aponeurosis that connects the heel to the toes …
walking and is bolstered by a thick plantar aponeurosis that connects the heel to the toes …
Intrinsic foot muscle hardness is related to dynamic postural stability after landing in healthy young men
N Maeda, A Hirota, M Komiya, M Morikawa, R Mizuta… - Gait & posture, 2021 - Elsevier
Background The human foot has competent mechanisms for supporting weight and
adapting movement to various surfaces; in particular, the toe flexor muscles aid in …
adapting movement to various surfaces; in particular, the toe flexor muscles aid in …
Plantar intrinsic foot muscle activation during functional exercises compared to isolated foot exercises in younger adults
L Willemse, EJM Wouters, MF Pisters… - … Theory and Practice, 2023 - Taylor & Francis
Background Training the plantar intrinsic foot muscles (PIFMs) has the potential to benefit
patients with lower extremity musculoskeletal conditions as well as the aged population …
patients with lower extremity musculoskeletal conditions as well as the aged population …
[HTML][HTML] The influence of the windlass mechanism on kinematic and kinetic foot joint coupling
Background Previous research shows kinematic and kinetic coupling between the
metatarsophalangeal (MTP) and midtarsal joints during gait. Studying the effects of MTP …
metatarsophalangeal (MTP) and midtarsal joints during gait. Studying the effects of MTP …
[HTML][HTML] Effect of the upward curvature of toe springs on walking biomechanics in humans
Although most features of modern footwear have been intensively studied, there has been
almost no research on the effects of toe springs. This nearly ubiquitous upward curvature of …
almost no research on the effects of toe springs. This nearly ubiquitous upward curvature of …
[HTML][HTML] How to evaluate and improve foot strength in athletes: an update
The foot is a complex system with multiple degrees of freedom that play an essential role in
running or sprinting. The intrinsic foot muscles (IFM) are the main local stabilizers of the foot …
running or sprinting. The intrinsic foot muscles (IFM) are the main local stabilizers of the foot …
Regulation of foot and ankle quasi-stiffness during human hopping across a range of frequencies
Human legs operate like springs with adjustable stiffness during locomotion, improving
movement economy and versatility. The potential for the foot to contribute to this spring-like …
movement economy and versatility. The potential for the foot to contribute to this spring-like …
The human foot functions like a spring of adjustable stiffness during running
Like other animals, humans use their legs like springs to save energy during running. One
potential contributor to leg stiffness in humans is the longitudinal arch (LA) of the foot …
potential contributor to leg stiffness in humans is the longitudinal arch (LA) of the foot …