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First published online December 14, 2005
Journal of Experimental Biology 209, 66-77 (2006)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2006
doi: 10.1242/jeb.01969
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Take-off and landing forces in jumping frogs

Sandra Nauwelaerts1,* and Peter Aerts1,2

1 Department of Biology, University of Antwerp (UIA), Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Antwerpen, Belgium
2 Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, University of Ghent, Watersportlaan 2, B-9000 Gent, Belgium

* Author for correspondence (e-mail: sandran{at}mail.uri.edu)

Accepted 3 November 2005

Anurans use a saltatorial (jumping) mode of locomotion. A jumping cycle can be divided into four subphases: propulsion, flight, landing and recovery. We studied the landing phase during locomotion in Rana esculenta by measuring the ground reaction forces during propulsion and landing over a range of distances. Landing performance affects locomotor ability in jumping frogs. Landing and recovery together take up one third of the locomotor cycle. Peak landing forces are on average almost three times larger than propulsive forces. The forelimbs appear to be fully extended when they make contact with the substrate and absorb the first impact peak. The height of this peak varies depending on arm positioning and jumping distance. Since the stiffness of the arms stays constant over the full jumping range, it is possible that this is a limiting factor in the ability of the forelimbs to work as dampers. A spring-dashpot model is used to model the effect of arm angle at touch down. Damping during landing is performed by placing the forelimbs at an optimal angle to cancel frictional forces effectively.

Key words: locomotion, anura, frog, Rana esculenta, ground reaction force, jumping, spring-dashpot model


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 Proc R Soc BHome page
G. Byrnes, N. T.-L Lim, and A. J Spence
Take-off and landing kinetics of a free-ranging gliding mammal, the Malayan colugo (Galeopterus variegatus)
Proc R Soc B, May 7, 2008; 275(1638): 1007 - 1013.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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