Roberts T J, Marsh R L, Weyand P G, Taylor C R
Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Concord Field Station, Bedford, MA 01730, USA.
Science. 1997 Feb 21;275(5303):1113-5. doi: 10.1126/science.275.5303.1113.
During running, muscles and tendons must absorb and release mechanical work to maintain the cyclic movements of the body and limbs, while also providing enough force to support the weight of the body. Direct measurements of force and fiber length in the lateral gastrocnemius muscle of running turkeys revealed that the stretch and recoil of tendon and muscle springs supply mechanical work while active muscle fibers produce high forces. During level running, the active muscle shortens little and performs little work but provides the force necessary to support body weight economically. Running economy is improved by muscles that act as active struts rather than working machines.
在奔跑过程中，肌肉和肌腱必须吸收和释放机械功，以维持身体和四肢的循环运动，同时还要提供足够的力量来支撑身体重量。对奔跑中的火鸡外侧腓肠肌的力和纤维长度进行的直接测量表明，肌腱和肌肉弹簧的伸展和回弹提供机械功，而活跃的肌肉纤维则产生高力量。在水平奔跑时，活跃的肌肉缩短很少，做功也很少，但能以经济的方式提供支撑体重所需的力量。作为主动支柱而非工作机器的肌肉可提高跑步经济性。
