English
Energetics and mechanics of terrestrial locomotion. II. Kinetic energy changes of the limbs and body as a function of speed and body size in birds and mammals.
Abstract: This is the second paper in a series examining the link between energetics and mechanics of terrestrial locomotion. In this paper, the changes in the kinetic energy of the limbs and body relative to the centre of mass of an animal (EKE, tot) are measured as functions of speed and body size. High-speed films (light or X-ray) of four species of quadrupeds and four species of bipeds running on a treadmill were analysed to determine EKE, tot. A mass-specific power term, EKE, tot/Mb was calculated by adding all of the increments in EKE during an integral number of strides and dividing by the time interval for the strides and body mass. The equations relating EKE, tot/Mb and speed were similar for all bipeds and quadrupeds regardless of size. One general equation for the rate at which muscle and tendons must supply energy to accelerate the limbs and body relative to the centre of mass seems to apply for all of the animals: E'KE, tot/Mb = 0.478 vg1.53 where E'KE, tot/Mb has the units W kg-1 and vg is ground speed in m s-1. Therefore, E'KE, tot/Mb does not change in parallel with the mass-specific rate at which animals consume energy (Emetab/Mb), either as a function of speed or as a function of body size.
Publication Date: 1982-04-01
PubMed ID: 7086342DOI: 10.1242/jeb.97.1.23Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- P.H.S.
Summary
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The research examines the relationship between the mechanics and energetics of terrestrial locomotion by analyzing the changes in the kinetic energy of an animal’s limbs and body at different speeds and body sizes. Simply put, this paper investigates how changes in the speed and size of an animal affect the energy needed for movement.
Methodology Used in the Research
- The study involves measurement of changes in kinetic energy of an animal’s limbs and body (EKE, tot) relative to its centre of mass as functions of speed and body size.
- To gather data, the researchers analyzed high-speed films (either light or X-ray) of four species of quadruped (four-legged) and four species of biped (two-legged) animals running on a treadmill.
- The researchers calculated a mass-specific power term, EKE, tot/Mb, by totalling all increments in EKE during a set number of strides, and dividing by the time interval for these strides and the body mass of the animals.
Results Obtained from the Research
- The study found that the equations relating the mass-specific power term (EKE, tot/Mb) and speed were similar for all bipeds and quadrupeds, regardless of size.
- A universal equation was developed to estimate the rate at which muscle and tendons must supply energy to accelerate the limbs and body relative to the centre of mass for all animals: E’KE, tot/Mb = 0.478 vg1.53. Here, E’KE, tot/Mb is in W kg-1 (watts per kilogram), and vg is ground speed in m s-1 (meters per second).
Conclusion and Implications of the Research
- The key finding is that this mass-specific power term, EKE, tot/Mb, does not change in straight-line relation with the mass-specific rate of energy consumption (Emetab/Mb), regardless of speed or body size.
- This suggests that the energy demand for movement in animals is not directly proportional to their size or the speed of movement. The equation developed provides valuable insight into the energetics of terrestrial locomotion, and could have applications in areas such as comparative animal physiology and biomechanics.
Cite This Article
APA
Fedak MA, Heglund NC, Taylor CR.
(1982).
Energetics and mechanics of terrestrial locomotion. II. Kinetic energy changes of the limbs and body as a function of speed and body size in birds and mammals.
J Exp Biol, 97, 23-40.
https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.97.1.23
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Birds
- Body Constitution
- Energy Metabolism
- Extremities / physiology
- Horses
- Kinetics
- Locomotion
- Mammals
- Species Specificity
Grant Funding
- 1 F 32 AM 06022 / NIADDK NIH HHS
- 5 T 32 GM 07117 / NIGMS NIH HHS
Citations
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