Hipdriven

Hipdriven is a term used in biomechanics, robotics, and sport science to describe a propulsion strategy in which the hip joint contributes the majority of positive power during forward locomotion. In a hipdriven gait, hip extension and the associated musculature (gluteals and hip extensors) generate most of the propulsive work, while the ankle’s plantarflexors contribute less propulsive work than in some ankle-driven patterns.

The term is a portmanteau of hip and driven and is used to compare with ankle- or knee-driven propulsion. It is not a single standardized concept but appears in studies of walking and running across ages, populations with gait impairments, and in the design of assistive devices.

Measurement and analysis rely on motion capture and ground reaction force data to estimate joint powers with inverse dynamics. Hip power typically rises in late stance and can dominate propulsive work in certain tasks, such as steep incline walking or energetic running, indicating a hip-driven propulsion pattern.

Applications include rehabilitation strategies that emphasize hip strength and coordination, and the design of exoskeletons and prostheses that prioritize hip actuation to augment propulsion and reduce knee or ankle loading. The term’s usage varies, and it is often contrasted with ankle- or knee-driven propulsion in both human movement studies and engineering contexts.