Dataset for Humans choose trunk lean angles consistent with minimal metabolic costs - an integrative experimental and musculoskeletal simulation approach
Authors/Creators
- 1. Institute for Advanced Biomechanics and Motion Studies, Offenburg University of Applied Sciences
- 2. School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan
Description
This dataset contains experimental and simulation data from treadmill running at 2.5 m/s, examining how systematic variations in trunk lean affect metabolic cost and running mechanics in 28 recreational runners. It includes raw marker trajectories and ground reaction force data, as well as processed metabolic measurements for all participants across five predefined trunk lean conditions and one self-selected condition, spanning trunk lean angles from 8.5° (upright) to 40° (forward). Stride-averaged and normalised kinematic and kinetic data (joint coordinates, ground reaction forces, and moments) are provided for each condition and serve as inputs for the subsequent optimal control simulations in MocoTrack. Musculoskeletal simulation input and output files are also included, comprising representative joint coordinates, moments, ground reaction forces, simulated kinematics and kinetics, muscle activations, muscle fibre kinematics, and both muscle-specific and whole-body energetics.
Abstract (English)
Despite the substantial mass and moment of inertia of the trunk, its influence on minimising metabolic cost in human locomotion is poorly understood. We show that self-selected trunk leaning in humans aligns with minimised metabolic costs during running. Utilising an integrative experimental and musculoskeletal simulation approach, we reveal how trunk leaning redistributes joint moments and metabolic demands. We report estimates of muscle-specific changes in metabolic demands and contraction conditions for key muscles, including the hamstrings, uniarticular hip extensors, and plantar flexors, reflecting the complex interplay between kinetic demands and muscle energetics. Our results show that leaning forward reduces knee extension moments associated with running overuse injuries but involves metabolic cost trade-offs. Our findings indicate that the observed U-shaped whole-body metabolic cost curve is attributed to intricate and offsetting changes in metabolic cost among multiple muscle groups across trunk leaning conditions, reflecting the fundamental impact of trunk kinematics on running biomechanics.
Files
RAW_DATA.zip
Files
(187.8 MB)
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Additional details
Dates
- Submitted
-
2025-09-08
Software
- Programming language
- MATLAB