A COMPUTER SIMULATION FOR LEG STIFFNESS IN MAXIMAL SPRINTING

Abstract

When humans and other mammals run, the body's complex system of muscle, tendon and ligament behave like spring. A computer simulation for terrestrial running at maximal speed is presented in this study, based on a leg with the properties of non-linear spring. At maximal speed, the horizontal speed has 'been conSidered constant while the vertical component was considered zero at landing. Three non-linear springs have been considered for quadriceps, hamstring, and gastrocnemius muscles with different stiffness coefficients. The goal of present study was to determine the relative importance of changes to the leg spring stiffness and the angle swept by the leg spring when the sprinter alters the landing angles (from braking to take-off) at maximal speed. Results also showed that at maximal speed the stiffness coeffiCients presented non-linear behaviour.