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Force development during sustained locomotion: a determinant of gait, speed and metabolic power.
Abstract: This paper develops three simple ideas about force development during sustained locomotion which provide some insights into the mechanisms that determine why animals change gait, how fast they can run, and how much metabolic energy they consume. The first idea is that the alternate stretch-shorten pattern of activity of the muscles involved in locomotion allows muscle-tendon units to function as springs, affecting the amount of force a given cross-sectional area of muscle develops, and the metabolic requirements of the muscles for force development. Animals select speeds and stride frequencies which optimize the performance of these springs. The second idea is that muscle stress (force/cross-sectional area) determines when animals change gait, how fast they run and their peak accelerations and decelerations. It is proposed that terrestrial birds and mammals develop similar muscle stresses under equivalent conditions (i.e. preferred speed within a gait) and that animals change gaits in order to reduce peak stresses as they increase speed. Finally, evidence is presented to support the idea that it is the time course of force development during locomotion, rather than the mechanical work that the muscles perform, that determines the metabolic cost of locomotion.
Publication Date: 1985-03-01 PubMed ID: 4031768DOI: 10.1242/jeb.115.1.253Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- 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 article discusses the role of force development during sustained locomotion in determining an animal’s gait, speed, and metabolic energy consumption. It presents the idea that muscle-tendon units respond like springs during locomotion and this affects the force developed by the muscle and its metabolic needs.
Muscle-Tendon Units Function as Springs
- The paper starts by presenting the first idea of muscle-tendon units acting like springs during locomotion. This is due to their alternate stretch-shorten pattern of activity. This spring-like function influences the amount of force that a cross-sectional area of a muscle can develop, plus the metabolic requirements of the muscles for creating such force.
- The animals adjust their speeds and stride frequencies to optimize the performance of these natural springs, enhancing their movement efficiency.
Muscle Stress Dictates Speed and Gait
- The second part of the paper explains that muscle stress, which is defined as the force per cross-sectional area, determines when animals change their gait, how fast they run, and their peak accelerations and decelerations.
- The research proposes that terrestrial birds and mammals develop similar muscle stresses under equivalent conditions (e.g. preferred speed within a gait). It further proposes that animals switch their gait to reduce peak stresses as they increase their speed, helping to regulate their energy use and protect their muscle structures.
Link between Time Course of Force Development and Metabolic Cost
- Lastly, the article provides evidence to support the third idea that it is the timeline of force development during locomotion, not the mechanical work the muscles perform, that determines the metabolic cost of locomotion. This finding highlights the importance of efficient force development to keep the metabolic cost low during sustained locomotion.
Cite This Article
APA
Taylor CR.
(1985).
Force development during sustained locomotion: a determinant of gait, speed and metabolic power.
J Exp Biol, 115, 253-262.
https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.115.1.253 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cattle
- Dogs
- Gait
- Goats
- Horses
- Humans
- Locomotion
- Muscle Contraction
- Muscles / metabolism
- Muscles / physiology
- Sciuridae
Grant Funding
- 2R01-AM18140-09 / NIADDK NIH HHS
Citations
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