Determination of allometric scaling equations for elastic behavior of human body during kangaroo-like hopping in different styles and strategies

The purpose of the current study was to determine allometric equations for leg stiffness, the main parameter of elastic behavior of human body. 30 young healthy men participated voluntarily in this study and performed vertical hopping test on a force plate and in front of a high-speed camera. Leg stiffness was calculated by a MATLAB program. The relationships between leg stiffness and individual characteristics such as body mass, height, BMI and age were determined by Pearson correlation test and the allometric equations were formed by regression analysis. Positive significant correlations were observed between leg stiffness of controlled hopping test and subjects body mass. Allometric scaling equations were Kbilateral=190M1.1 for bilateral leg stiffness, Kdominant=501M0.84 for dominant leg stiffness and Knondominant=549M0.82 for non-dominant leg stiffness. These equations can be the base of correct normalizing of human body elastic behavior and allow to leg stiffness estimation by body mass.