At normal comfortable walking speeds, active muscle work accounts for approximately how much remaining work?

At normal comfortable walking speeds, active muscle work accounts for approximately how much remaining work?

• A. 90-100%
• B. 5-10%
• C. 30-40%
• D. 60-70%

Answer: (B)

In level, comfortable walking most of the movement energy is supplied by passive dynamics rather than active muscle output. The leg behaves like a pendulum; gravity and the springiness of tendons and ligaments store and return energy as you step. Muscles still control and stabilize the motion, but they don’t have to generate the majority of the energy each step. As a result, the portion of the total mechanical work that muscles actively perform is small—roughly five to ten percent—while the remaining ninety to ninety-five percent comes from these passive mechanisms and energy exchanges. This is why walking is so energy-efficient: the body leverages passive mechanics to do most of the work.

In level, comfortable walking most of the movement energy is supplied by passive dynamics rather than active muscle output. The leg behaves like a pendulum; gravity and the springiness of tendons and ligaments store and return energy as you step. Muscles still control and stabilize the motion, but they don’t have to generate the majority of the energy each step. As a result, the portion of the total mechanical work that muscles actively perform is small—roughly five to ten percent—while the remaining ninety to ninety-five percent comes from these passive mechanisms and energy exchanges. This is why walking is so energy-efficient: the body leverages passive mechanics to do most of the work.