This dissertation addresses theoretical and applied research problems in human running biomechanics. It aims to quantify leg muscle forces and powers that accelerate and power running motion at increasing speeds, as no prior work has fully achieved this. Developing detailed musculoskeletal models requires understanding anatomy, physiology, and mechanics via Newton's laws of motion to simulate dynamics. Improved models may help athletes enhance sprinting and prevent injuries, informing training strategies with implications for medical acceptance of computational research.

1. The work presented in this dissertation addresses a variety of theoretical and applied research problems associated with the
biomechanics of human running. The dissertation began with the question: “how do leg-muscles synergise to coordinate an
efficient running motion?" Despite the fundamental nature of this question, no work to this date has fully quantified the
muscle forces and powers transmitted around the skeleton that accelerate and power the body during running, particularly
as running speed increases. The computational processes required to calculate such biomechanical variables involve a set of
complex systems that together form a mathematical description of the anatomy, physiology and mechanics of the human
musculoskeletal system. Of the many disciplines that go into the development of a computer-based musculoskeletal model,
the mechanical structure of the skeleton is one of the most important because it exploits the fundamental equations of
Newton's Second Law of Motion to simulate the dynamics of movement.
Who will benefit as a result of using improved, high fidelity musculoskeletal models? For one, the professional athletes
around the world who strive to maximise sprinting speed by improving running technique. Incorporating training strategies,
as predicted by computer modelling studies will determine the true potential for improving running performance. Similarly,
strategies for injury prevention, also suggested by computer modelling studies, could be adopted into regular training
practice to investigate whether these approaches have the potential to reduce the frequency of injury. Implementing
theoretical findings into the practical domain is pivotal because only then will confidence in computer modelling studies
grow and be accepted by the wider medical community.

2. The work presented in this dissertation addresses a variety of theoretical and applied research problems associated with the
biomechanics of human running [summarising the research problem]. The dissertation began with the question: “how do
leg-muscles synergise to coordinate an efficient running motion?" [restating the research question] Despite the fundamental
nature of this question, no work to this date has fully quantified the muscle forces and powers transmitted around the
skeleton that accelerate and power the body during running, particularly as running speed increases [summarising the gap in
research]. The computational processes required to calculate such biomechanical variables involve a set of complex systems
that together form a mathematical description of the anatomy, physiology and mechanics of the human musculoskeletal
system. Of the many disciplines that go into the development of a computer-based musculoskeletal model, the mechanical
structure of the skeleton is one of the most important because it exploits the fundamental equations of Newton's Second
Law of Motion to simulate the dynamics of movement [highlighting the importance of the research].
Who will benefit as a result of using improved, high fidelity musculoskeletal models? For one, the professional athletes
around the world who strive to maximise sprinting speed by improving running technique. Incorporating training strategies,
as predicted by computer modelling studies will determine the true potential for improving running performance. Similarly,
strategies for injury prevention, also suggested by computer modelling studies, could be adopted into regular training
practice to investigate whether these approaches have the potential to reduce the frequency of injury. Implementing
theoretical findings into the practical domain is pivotal because only then will confidence in computer modelling studies
grow and be accepted by the wider medical community. [stating implications of the findings and what should be done]