... of this hypothesis, we examined whether conservation of stance-phase joint mechanics is prioritized over COM mechanics in a locomotor task where simultaneous conservation of COM and joint mechanics is not feasible: imposed leg-length asymmetry. Positive joint mechanical cost of transport (work per distance traveled...

... was interpreted to indicate independent sliding of each coracoid at the sternocoracoid joint; however, rotations of the sternum could also produce similar displacement of the scapulocoracoids. Here, we present new data employing marker-based XROMM (X-ray reconstruction of moving morphology), wherein simultaneous...

... vaulting to bouncing kinetics. To understand this unusual mechanism, we quantified the forelimb and hindlimb motions of eight Asian elephants ( Elephas maximus ) and seven African elephants( Loxodonta africana ). We used 240 Hz motion analysis (tracking 10 joint markers) to measure the flexion/extension...

.... Incorporating a five-segment, 17 degree-of-freedom (d.f.) kinematic model of the ostrich hind limb developed from anatomical specimens, we quantified the three-dimensional(3-D) joint axis alignment and joint kinematics during running (at ∼3.3 m s –1 ) in the largest avian biped, the ostrich. Our analysis...

...Ken Sasaki; Malcolm Burrows SUMMARY In preparation for jumping and kicking, a locust slowly generates large forces in the femoral muscles of its hind legs and stores them in elastic distortions of the tendons and femoral cuticle. At the femoro—tibial joints, the semi-lunar processes are bent...

...Sheila N. Patek SUMMARY The origin of arthropod sound-producing morphology typically involves modification of two translating body surfaces, such as the legs and thorax. In an unusual structural rearrangement, I show that one lineage of palinurid lobsters lost an antennal joint articulation, which...

... may have evolved specifically to extend the limits of performance. Little is known about how the joints of the frog contribute to and limit jumping performance. To address these issues, we developed a skeletal model of the frog Rana pipiens that contained realistic bones, joints and body-segment...