... in fuel use nor the impact of lifetime hypoxia exposure experienced in high alpine conditions, are fully understood. Thus, we assessed the use of fuel during exercise in wild highland deer mice running in their native environment. We examined a key step in muscle carbohydrate oxidation – the regulation...

... male, 1 female) competitive sprinters running CW and CCW and compared v max with three predictive models. We combined CW and CCW directions and found that v max slowed by 10.0±2.4% and 4.1±1.6% ( P <0.001) for the 17.2 and 36.5 m radius curves versus the straight path, respectively. v max values...

.... For walking animals (which we define as encompassing any form of legged movement across the ground, such as walking, running, galloping, etc.), such substrate ‘roughness’ influences locomotion in a multitude of ways across scales, from roughness that influences how each toe or foot contacts the ground...

... influences the selection of animals, behaviors and methodologies for studying animal motion. Locomotion Walking Running Swimming Behavior Methodology In the pursuit of understanding how animals move, biomechanists have historically focused on one of two approaches ( Fig. 1 ). Scientists...

... strain perturbations is history dependent, but is captured by a viscoelastic model with memory; the data and model show that the muscle perturbation response depends on locomotor frequency. Muscle Work loop Force Running Cockroach Viscoelastic Muscle produces, dissipates, stores...

... of plantigrady and ability to stiffen the midfoot. We also show that several unique features of the human foot, including a spring-like longitudinal arch and short toes, are likely adaptations to long distance running. We use this framework to interpret the fossil record and argue that the human foot passed...

... progression in acceleration, has proved valuable in the estimation of the metabolic cost of speed-changing gaits. However, its use with steep slopes requires extrapolation of the experimental cost versus gradient function for constant running speed, resulting in less-reliable estimates. The present study...

... their hindlimbs for bipedal terrestrial locomotion, for at least some part of their life history. Here, we review the scaling of avian striding bipedal gaits to explore how body mass and leg morphology influence walking and running. We collate literature data from 21 species, spanning a 2500× range in body mass...

... the bioenergetic differences between active and inactive individuals carry over to impact performance in a subsequent reproductive event and alter a female's reproductive outcome. Female mice that had access to a running wheel for a month before mating gave birth to a larger litter and weaned a heavier litter...

..., along with the performance of a range of locomotor activities, from running and climbing to jumping and swimming. These locomotor effects can impact on activities critical for survival and reproduction, including escaping predators, capturing prey and acquiring mates. In this Commentary, we first review...

...A. H. Dewolf; L. E. Peñailillo; P. A. Willems ABSTRACT When running on the level, muscles perform as much positive as negative external work. On a slope, the external positive and negative work performed are not equal. The present study analysed how the ratio between positive and negative work...

...Anthony G. Schache; Nicholas A. T. Brown; Marcus G. Pandy ABSTRACT We investigated how the human lower-limb joints modulate work and power during walking and running on level ground. Experimental data were recorded from seven participants for a broad range of steady-state locomotion speeds (walking...

...Glenna T. Clifton; Tyson L. Hedrick; Andrew A. Biewener ABSTRACT Few vertebrates run on water. The largest animals to accomplish this feat are western and Clark's grebes ( Aechmophorus occidentalis and Aechmophorus clarkii ). These birds use water running to secure a mate during a display called...

... of the two in-series hydraulic joints will be less coupled because the higher stride frequencies limit the time available for hemolymph flow. We elicited maximal running speeds at four ecologically relevant temperatures (15, 24, 31 and 40°C) in Texas Brown tarantulas ( Aphonopelma hentzi ). The spiders...

... forelimb function has been proposed as a general feature of running with a sprawling posture and as benefiting sprawled postured animals by enhancing maneuvering and minimizing joint moments. Yet only a few species have been studied and thus the generality of differential limb function in running animals...

.... 5 12 2012 29 8 2013 © 2013. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd 2013 biomechanics running Periplaneta americana sensorimotor integration bio-inspired sensor robot Animals can directly control the acquisition of sensory information by using self-generated...

... technique. The AT of the physically active individuals seems to be able to resist mechanical changes under physiological stress. We therefore suggest that natural loading, like in running, may not overstress the AT or predispose it to injury. In addition, decreased running economy, as well as altered foot...

... and the hindlimbs. However, few studies have examined the role of forelimbs in lizard locomotion. To characterize how the forelimbs and hindlimbs differentially respond to changes in substrate diameter and incline, we obtained three-dimensional high-speed video of green anoles ( Anolis carolinensis ) running...

... exercise-induced eCB signaling following high-intensity endurance running. eCB signaling does not significantly increase following low-intensity walking in these taxa, and eCB signaling does not significantly increase in the non-cursorial ferrets following exercise at any intensity. This study provides...

...Jeffrey P. Olberding; Lance D. McBrayer; Timothy E. Higham SUMMARY Bipedal running is common among lizard species, but although the kinematics and performance of this gait have been well characterized, the advantages in biologically relevant situations are still unclear. Obstacle negotiation...