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    J Br Interplanet Soc. 2004 Jul-Aug;57(7-8):262-70.

    Small step or giant leap? Human locomotion on Mars.

    Source

    BUPA Wellness, Health Assessment Centre, London. hawkeya@bupa.com

    Abstract

    Human locomotion on Mars will be considerably different from on Earth. Optimum walking speeds will be approximately 30% lower and transitioning from a walk to a run will occur at a speed 25% slower. Peak vertical forces will be reduced by as much as 50%, and although ground contact time will remain constant with locomotion in 1 g, stride length and stride time will increase. During running on Mars airborne time will increase by approximately 80% in comparison to running on the Earth. On Mars, half as much energy will be required to travel the equivalent distance on Earth and it will be 65% more economical to run rather than to walk. Crews will, therefore, find themselves using a loping gait--a running-like action, with a slight upper body lean and an extended aerial phase, an unfamiliar gait in terrestrial locomotion.

    PMID:
    15856558
    [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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