Forward Dynamics Simulations Provide Insight Into Muscle Mechanical Work During Human Locomotion

In Brief Complex musculoskeletal models and computer simulations can provide critical insight into muscle mechanical work output during locomotion. Simulations provide both a consistent mechanical solution that can be interrogated at multiple levels (muscle fiber, musculotendon, net joint moment, and whole-body work) and an ideal framework to identify limitations with different estimates of muscle work and the resulting implications for metabolic cost and efficiency. Muscle-actuated forward dynamics simulations have the potential to provide much insight into muscle mechanical work and efficiency in human locomotion.