Analysis of Running Expansion with Trunk and Pelvic Rotation Assist Suit by Using SLIP Model

Abstract

In this paper, we evaluated the effect of the trunk and pelvic rotation assist suit in assisting human running motion. During running motion, when the angular momentum of the upper body and the lower body is closer to balance, the running efficiency will be improved. According to this fact, we developed the trunk and pelvic rotation assist suit to apply external forces in the upper body to balance the angular momentum and improve the running efficiency. To evaluate the assist efficiency of our assist suit, we used the spring-loaded inverted pendulum model (SLIP model) and conducted a running expansion experiment. We combined the results of SLIP model and experimental data to evaluate the effect of the assist suit by comparing the energy and athletic performance between natural and expanded running motion. Finally, we confirmed the trunk and pelvic rotation assist suit does have an assisting effect on the human running motion.