Predictive simulations to explore interactions between muscle-tendon properties, gait patterns and cost of transport

We used a predictive simulation framework to explore the effect of muscle-tendon (MT) properties on gait pattern selection and cost of transport. Increased maximal muscle contraction speed and hence power induced a transition from walking to running at lower speeds. A large decrease in tendon stiffness only slightly increased the cost of transport (COT) suggesting that small kinematic compensations reduce the influence of alterations in tendon stiffness on COT. Our simulations demonstrate the complex interaction between MT parameters, gait selection and movement efficiency.