The effects of load bearing on muscle-tendon interaction during locomotion

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the separate and combined effects of speed and external loading on muscle-tendon interaction and length change during locomotion. We hypothesised that due to the increased demand on the ankle towards forward propulsion, GM MTU interaction may no longer be optimised for energy conservation and power amplification during loaded gait, therefore i) load carrying will affect the SEE loading and fascicular shortening patterns, and ii) increased walking speed will affect these patterns.