Physiological Aspects of Legged Terrestrial Locomotion

Giovanni A. Cavagna is Emeritus Professor of Human Physiology at State University of Milan, Italy. His research has mainly focused on biomechanics and biophysics.

• Experimental procedures in the study of muscular function.- Functional anatomy of muscle.- Measurements made during or starting from a state of isometric contraction.- Measurements made after stretching the contracting muscle.- Muscle thermodynamics.- External, internal and total mechanical work done to maintain locomotion.- Walking.- Bouncing gaits: running, trotting and hopping.- Effect of speed, step frequency, age and gravity on the mechanics of running.