[TANGO-L] Computer studies show that perhaps Argentine Tango might be the most energy effecient and natural way to dance...

[Derik Rawson <rawsonweb@YAHOO.COM>]

Dear All:

Thought that you might find this interesting.  Seems
that the moves in Argentine Tango might be the most
energy effecient and natural way to dance, because
computer studies show that most effecient ways to move
are apparently..

1. Walking (best for very slow speeds)
2. Sliding forward without bobbing up and down (best
for intermediate speeds)
3. Running (best for high speeds)

Article below details computer studies.

Derik
d.rawson@rawsonweb.com

***************
Why We Walk and Run vs. Hopping and Skipping
By LiveScience Staff

posted: 15 September 2005
01:36 pm ET

"The computer simulations conclude that normal walking
is simply most energy efficient for travel at low
speeds, and running is best at higher speeds. And,
they report, a third walk-run gait is optimal for
intermediate speeds, even though humans do not appear
to take advantage of it."

Except Argentines....lol.

************

Article starts here..

New computer simulations show three modes of
locomotion are most efficient for humans: walking,
running, and a third one that for some reason we don't
employ.

Hopping and skipping are no good. And there's a reason
why we don't speed-walk or consistently use other odd
ways of getting around, the research found.

Walking and running at typical paces -- the uniquely
human gaits you are used to -- use the least amount of
energy compared to the performance results, the study
found.

Cornell University engineers Andy Ruina and Manoj
Srinivasan compare the mechanics of walking and
running with "many other strange and unpracticed
gaits." They used a set of computer models that
simulated physical measurements such as leg length,
force, body velocity and trajectory, forward speed and
work.

"We wish to find how a person can get from one place
to another with the least muscle work," they write.

While we can, if we choose, glide along without much
bobbing up and down -- such as when a waiter must be
cautious not to spill coffee filled to the brim -- we
don't. Here's why:

The computer simulations conclude that normal walking
is simply most energy efficient for travel at low
speeds, and running is best at higher speeds. And,
they report, a third walk-run gait is optimal for
intermediate speeds, even though humans do not appear
to take advantage of it.

The results are detailed in today's issue of the
Journal Nature.

A video from the National Science Foundation, which
supported the work, details the efficiency of walking
and running.





	
		
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