..., the sagittal plane joint mechanics of grizzly bears are similar to those of other quadrupeds, including digitigrade, unguligrade and plantigrade species. A previous study compared data from several mammalian species over a wide size range, and also found similar patterns in the relative timing of joint...

...Catherine L. Shine; Skylar Penberthy; Charles T. Robbins; O. Lynne Nelson; Craig P. McGowan ABSTRACT Locomotion of plantigrade generalists has been relatively little studied compared with more specialised postures even though plantigrady is ancestral among quadrupeds. Bears (Ursidae...

...C. B. Cunningham; N. Schilling; C. Anders; D. R. Carrier SUMMARY Although humans appear to be specialized for endurance running, the plantigrade posture of our feet, in which the heel contacts the substrate at the beginning of a step, seems incompatible with economical running. In this study, we...