Effects of step length and step frequency on lower-limb muscle function in human gait

Abstract

The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of step length and step frequency on lower-limb muscle function in walking. Three-dimensional gait data were used in conjunction with musculoskeletal modeling techniques to evaluate muscle function over a range of walking speeds using prescribed combinations of step length and step frequency. The body was modeled as a 10-segment, 21-degree-of-freedom skeleton actuated by 54 muscle-tendon units. Lower-limb muscle forces were calculated using inverse dynamics and static optimization. We found that five muscles – GMAX, GMED, VAS, GAS, and SOL – dominated vertical support and forward progression independent of changes made to either step length o..