Biomechanics of human locomotion
Bipedal locomotion presents unique mechanical challenges for hominins. Much of my research focuses on how hominins evolved to cope with the demands of walking and running on two legs. I have been involved with projects exploring variations in foot strike patterns (including running shod vs. unshod), the effects of stride frequency on lower limb kinematics and kinetics, and frontal plane dynamics during locomotion.
Bipedal locomotion presents unique mechanical challenges for hominins. Much of my research focuses on how hominins evolved to cope with the demands of walking and running on two legs. I have been involved with projects exploring variations in foot strike patterns (including running shod vs. unshod), the effects of stride frequency on lower limb kinematics and kinetics, and frontal plane dynamics during locomotion.
Recent publications/conference presentations on this topic include:
Recent publications/conference presentations on this topic include:
- Castillo ER, Pontzer H. (2018) Locomotor-respiratory dynamics and gait frequency tuning in humans. American Association of Physical Anthropology 165(S17): 43-44.
- Otárola-Castillo ER, Castillo ER, Hora M, Torquato MG, Warrener AG, Pontzer H. (2017) walkR: a software package to analyze the biomechanics of human locomotion. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 162(S64): 306. [poster presentation] poster
- Warrener AG, Amanullah S, Castillo ER, Lieberman DE. (2015) Balancing the body: frontal plane dynamics during locomotion. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 156(S60): 320. [podium presentation] abstract
- Lieberman DE, Castillo ER, Otárola-Castillo ER, Sang M, Sigei T, Ojiambo R, Okutoyi P, Pitsiladis Y. (2015) Testing the effects of shoes on foot strength, stiffness and function. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 156(S60): 204. [podium presentation] abstract
- Lieberman DE, Warrener AG, Wang J, Castillo ER. (2015) Effects of stride frequency and foot position at landing on braking force, hip torque, impact peak force and the metabolic cost of running in humans. Journal of Experimental Biology 218: 3406-3414. DOI: 10.1242/jeb.125500. pdf
- Lieberman DE, Castillo ER, Otárola-Castillo ER, Sang MK, Sigei TK, Ojiambo R, Okutoyi P, Pitsiladis Y. (2015) Variation in foot strike patterns among habitually barefoot and shod runners in Kenya. PLoS ONE 10(7): e0131354. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131354. pdf
- Lieberman D, Addison B, Castillo E, Dingwall H. (2014) How do shoes affect foot function during human walking and running? Seventh World Biomechanics Congress.
- Hatala KG, Lieberman DE, Dingwall HL, Castillo ER, Wunderlich RE, Okutoyi P, Sigei T, Anjila A, Pitsiladis Y, Richmond BG. (2013) Variation in running foot strike patterns in two habitually unshod Kenyan populations. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 150 (S56): 144-145. [poster presentation] abstract