Dynamic stability control mechanisms when facing sudden slip-like perturbations in human running

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Steffen Willwacher
• Subject Area: Orthopaedics, Traumatology, Reconstructive Surgery ; Anatomy and Physiology ; Biophysics
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 538310865

Compared to many other mammals, humans can move with relatively low energy expenditure, which has played an essential role in our evolution. However, the running movement must also be executed in a dynamically stable manner to ensure injury-free locomotion, even in more complex environments or in the event of sudden perturbations (e.g., slips). This project aims to gain deeper insight into the effects of sudden slip-like perturbations on the biomechanics of running. We will address fundamental methodological issues for studying the biomechanical control of perturbations during human running on treadmills. We will further investigate fundamental aspects of the biomechanical responses of the human neuromusculoskeletal system to sudden perturbations. In doing so, we have the following specific main objectives: 1. To develop an open-access method to precisely quantify treadmill-induced perturbations in anteroposterior and mediolateral directions through optical measurement of the instantaneous belt velocity. 2. To determine how functional data analysis approaches can be used to determine the perturbation intensity and time to return to non-perturbed locomotion. 3. To compare different approaches to quantify the dynamic stability of runners during treadmill-based perturbations. 4. To investigate adaptive changes in non-perturbed running biomechanics and metabolic cost when expecting perturbations of the treadmill belt (effects of predictive adaptations). 5. To systematically investigate the dose-response relationship between perturbation intensity and musculoskeletal loading during running. 6. To investigate the effect of running speed on perturbation control strategies. 7. To investigate the role of muscle strength in perturbation control during running. A better understanding of perturbation control in human running is vital for advances in several fields, including biomechanics, sports science, robotics, and sports technology. In general, the research in this project expands our understanding of the complex neuromechanical systems that control human running.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigators: Professor Dr. Dominik Liebl; Professor Dr.-Ing. Bernd Waltersberger