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Journal of applied physiology1975; 39(4); 619-627; doi: 10.1152/jappl.1975.39.4.619

Using body size to understand the structural design of animals: quadrupedal locomotion.

Abstract: Many parameters of gait and performance, including stride frequency, stride length, maximum speed, and rate of O2 uptake are experimentally found to be power-law functions of body weight in running quadrupeds. All of these parameters are reasonably easy to measure except maximum speed, where the question arises whether one means top sprinting speed or top speed for sustained running. Moreover, differences in training and motivation make comparisons of top speed difficult. The problem is circumvented by comparing animals running at the transition between trotting and galloping, a physiologically similar speed. Theoretical models are proposed which preserve either geometric similarity, elastic similarity, or static stress similarity between animals of large and small body weights. The model postulating elastic similarity provides the best correlation with published data on body and bone proportions, body surface area, resting metabolic rate, and basal heart and lung frequencies. It also makes the most successful prediction of stride frequency, stride length, limb excursion angles, and the metabolic power required for running at the trot-gallop transition in quadrupeds ranging in size from mice to horses.
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Publication Date: 1975-10-01 PubMed ID: 1194153DOI: 10.1152/jappl.1975.39.4.619Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research discusses how physical aspects like body size influence the structure and movement of quadrupedal animals. Several factors including stride frequency, stride length, top speed, and oxygen uptake rate are noted to be linked to body weight in these creatures.

Gait and Performance Parameters

  • The study analyzes various parameters related to gait and performance in quadrupeds. These parameters include stride frequency and length, top speed, and the rate at which oxygen is consumed, all of which are found to follow power-law functions relative to body weight.
  • However, defining the maximum speed is more complex because it could either refer to the fastest sprint or the maximum speed for sustained running.
  • The variability in training conditions and motivation levels across individuals makes it difficult to compare top speeds consistently.
  • The researchers opted a workaround to this by observing animals running at the transition between trotting and galloping. This is because it represents a physiologically similar speed across diverse species, making comparisons more reliable.

Theoretical Models

  • The study then proposes theoretical models that preserve one of three types of similarity between animals of different body weights – geometric similarity, elastic similarity, or static stress similarity.
  • Each of these models offers a unique perspective on how size impacts structure and function in quadrupedal animals. Geometric similarity refers to maintaining proportions across lengths, areas, and volumes. Elastic similarity focuses on preserving the same deformation under similar loads, and static stress similarity involves keeping the stress from weight distribution constant.

Elastic Similarity Model

  • Among all the models, the one suggesting elastic similarity is found to be the most correlating with the collected data on body proportions, bone proportions, resting metabolic rate, and basic heart and lung frequencies.
  • This model successfully predicts the stride frequency, stride length, limb movement angles, and the metabolic power required for transitioning from trotting to galloping in quadrupeds ranging in size from tiny mice to large horses.
  • This implies that understanding body size can significantly explain the structural design in animals and their locomotion mechanisms, especially when considering their weight-bearing abilities and metabolic needs.

Cite This Article

APA
McMahon TA. (1975). Using body size to understand the structural design of animals: quadrupedal locomotion. J Appl Physiol, 39(4), 619-627. https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1975.39.4.619

Publication

Journal of applied physiology
ISSN: 0021-8987
NlmUniqueID: 0376576
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 39
Issue: 4
Pages: 619-627

Researcher Affiliations

McMahon, T A

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Body Weight
    • Gait
    • Heart / physiology
    • Joints / physiology
    • Locomotion
    • Mathematics
    • Models, Biological
    • Muscles / physiology
    • Oxygen Consumption
    • Physical Exertion
    • Respiration
    • Running
    • Stress, Mechanical

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