Tibialis anterior muscle fascicle length changes track mechanical work while maintaining fascicle velocity

Humans rapidly adapt gait to minimize energetic cost, but no direct metabolic sensors can account for this. Dynamic walking principles and tibialis anterior (TA) muscle activation profiles suggest it may be used in indirect sensing of energetic losses during the collisional phase of walking. Preliminary results show TA fascicle length changes track corresponding changes in ankle and whole limb mechanical work, but fascicle velocity remains constant. This may be controlled to prevent injury.