Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Chair of Training and Movement Sciences

Group leader: Dr. Sebastian Bohm

PhD students: Christos Theodorakis, Zhenya Smirnov, Dennis Mehley, Morteza Ghasemi

(former students: Mohamad Reza Kharazi)

The force production capacity of the muscle is crucial for human movement. We focus on the investigation of the underlying mechanisms of neuromuscular and mechanical functioning of the lower limb during steady and unsteady locomotion. The different functional organisation levels, e.g. muscle fascicle, muscle-tendon unit, neural control and joints, are considered aiming to understand their underlying dynamical interplay that governs effective and stable human gaits.

Particular attention is given to the muscle intrinsic mechanisms of distinct functional muscle-tendon units as for example soleus, gastrocnemius and vastus lateralis as well as limb posture in challenging conditions and unexpected perturbations that occur during real life situations. Elucidating the fundamental functioning by means of perturbation experiments provides relevant information for the application in robotics, modelling, clinics and geriatrics. Targeted modifications of certain functional components by specific interventions (training) may then allow for motor performance improvement.

For this research purpose we integrate ultrasound to assess the muscle fascicle architectural behaviour and tendon properties of different muscle-tendon units, motion capturing to quantify joint kinematics, dynamometry to measure joint moments, force plates to assess ground reaction forces and electromyography to estimate muscle activity. Musculoskeletal modelling supports our primary experimental approach.

Fig. Vastus lateralis muscle-tendon unit (MTU) length, muscle fascicle length and electromyographic (EMG) activity of a representative participant during walking and running steps (Bohm et al. (2018), Sci. Rep. 8, 5066).

Selected publications

Bohm, S., Mersmann, F., Schroll, A., Arampatzis, A.(2023): Speed-specific optimal contractile conditions of the human soleus muscle from slow to maximum running speed. Journal of Experimental Biology, ... (Link)

Arampatzis, A., Kharazi, M., Theodorakis, C., Mersmann, F., Bohm, S. (2023): Biarticular mechanisms of the gastrocnemii muscles enhance ankle mechanical power and work during running. R. Soc. Open Sci. 10:230007. (Link)

Kharazi, M., Theodorakis, C., Mersmann, F., Bohm, S., Arampatzis, A. (2023): Contractile Work of the Soleus and Biarticular Mechanisms of the Gastrocnemii Muscles Increase the Net Ankle Mechanical Work at High Walking Speeds. Biology, 12, 872. (Link)

Bohm, S., Mersmann, F., Santuz, A., Schroll, A., Arampatzis, A. (2021): Muscle-specific economy of force generation and efficiency of work production during human running. eLife 10:e67182. (fulltext)

Kharazi, M., Bohm, S., Theodorakis, C. Mersmann, F., Arampatzis, A. (2021): Quantifying mechanical loading and elastic strain energy of the human Achilles tendon during walking and running. Scientific Reports, 11:5830. (fulltext)

Bohm, S., Mersmann, F., Santuz, A., Arampatzis, A. (2021): Enthalpy efficiency of the soleus muscle contributes to improvements in running economy. Proc. R. Soc. B 288: 20202784. (fulltext)

Bohm, S., Mersmann, F., Santuz, A. & Arampatzis, A. (2019): The force–length–velocity potential of the human soleus muscle is related to the energetic cost of running. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 286, 20192560. (fulltext)

Bohm, S., Marzilger, R., Mersmann, F., Santuz, A., Arampatzis, A. (2018): Operating length and velocity of human vastus lateralis muscle during walking and running. Scientific Reports 8:5066. (fulltext)

Santuz, A., Ekizos, A., Eckardt, N., Kibele, A., Arampatzis, A. (2018): Challenging locomotion: stability and modular organisation in unsteady conditions. Scientific Reports, 8:2740.

Marzilger, R., Legerlotz, K., Panteli, C., Bohm, S., Arampatzis, A. (2018): Reliability of a semi-automated algorithm for the vastus lateralis muscle architecture measurement based on ultrasound images. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 118: 291–301.

Nikolaidou, M.E., Marzilger, R., Bohm, S., Mersmann, F., Arampatzis, A. (2017): Operating length and velocity of human M. vastus lateralis fascicles during vertical jumping. Royal Society Open Science, 4: 170185.

Albracht, K., Arampatzis, A. (2013): Exercise-induced changes in triceps surae tendon stiffness and muscle strength affect running economy in humans. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 113:1605–1615.