Skipping vs. running as the bipedal gait of choice in hypogravity.
Hypogravity challenges bipedal locomotion in its common forms. However, as previously theoretically and empirically suggested, humans can rely on "skipping," a less common gait available as a functional analog (perhaps a vestigium) of quadrupedal gallop, to confidently move when gravity is much lower than on Earth. We set up a 17-m-tall cavaedium (skylight shaft) with a bungee rubber body-suspension system and a treadmill to investigate the metabolic cost and the biomechanics of low-gravity (Mars, Moon) locomotion. Although skipping is never more metabolically economical than running, the difference becomes marginal at lunar gravities, with both bouncing gaits approaching values of walking on Earth (cost ≈ 2 J · kg(-1)· m(-1)). Nonmetabolic factors may thus be allowed to dominate the choice of skipping on the Moon. On the basis of center of pressure measurements and body segments kinetics, we can speculate that these factors may include a further reduction of mechanical work to move the limbs when wearing space suits and a more effective motor control during the ground (regoliths)-boot interaction.
Laboratory of Physiomechanics of Locomotion, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; and.
Gaspare
G
Pavei
Laboratory of Physiomechanics of Locomotion, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; and PDU Biomechanics, Centro Universitario de Paysandú, Universidad de la República, Paysandú, Uruguay.
Carlo M
CM
Biancardi
Laboratory of Physiomechanics of Locomotion, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; and alberto.minetti@unimi.it.
Alberto E
AE
Minetti
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006112:Gravitation; D006801:Humans; D018472:Hypogravity; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D018535:Mars; D016081:Moon; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D013026:Space Flight; D018544:Weightlessness Countermeasures; D055815:Young Adult
cost of transport; efficiency; locomotion; low gravity; work