Mechanics of walking.

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Abstract
The vertical and the frontal components of the push exerted by the foot on the ground, walking at different speeds (3-12 km/hr), have been measured by means of a sensitive platform, the work against gravity, Wv, and the work due to velocity changes in forward direction, Wf, have been calculated. The characteristic patterns of WV and Wf as a function of speed have been analyzed. The external work per step, Wtot = WV + WF, must be sustained by muscular activity; both WV and WF alone, on the contrary, are not directly related with muscular activity, as the rigid skeletal structures make possible the transformation of kinetic energy into potential, and vice versa. Two phases, in which the muscles perform external positive work, are evidenced in the step cycle; these are separated by 2 interposed phases in which negative work is performed.

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