Chapter 48, Problem 11TYU

Summary Introduction

To analyze:

The change of runner’s oxygen consumption if runner wore shoes that prevented the arches from changing shape.

Introduction:

Locomotion in animals needs to be effective in a way so as to reduce the cost of energy spent. R. McNeill Alexander studied the cost-effectiveness of locomotion on human foot and discovered that the arch operates like a spring during running. Alexander proposed the hypothesis that there are large tendons in the lower legs of land animals. For example, the Achilles tendon at the back of your ankle works like a spring during running of animals.