spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif
 QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


spacer gif
     Home     Help     Feedback     Subscriptions     Archive     Search     Table of Contents    

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Goslow, G.
Right arrow Articles by Heglund, N.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Goslow, G.
Right arrow Articles by Heglund, N.

Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol 94, Issue 1 15-42, Copyright © 1981 by Company of Biologists


JOURNAL ARTICLES

Electrical activity and relative length changes of dog limb muscles as a function of speed and gait

GE Goslow, HJ Seeherman, CR Taylor, MN McCutchin and NC Heglund

Electrical activity and length changes of 11 muscles of the fore- and hind- limbs of dogs walking, running, and galloping on a treadmill, were measured as a function of forward speed and gait. Our purpose was to find out whether the activity patterns of the major limb muscles were consistent with the two mechanisms proposed for storage and recovery of energy within a stride: a 'pendulum-like' mechanism during a walk, and a 'spring-like' mechanism during a run. In the stance phase of the walking dog, we found that the supraspinatus, long head of the triceps brachii, biceps brachii, vastus lateralis, and gastrocnemius underwent only minor length changes during a relatively long portion of their activity, Thus, a major part of their activity during the walk seems consistent with a role in stabilization of the joints as the dog 'pole-vaulted' over its limbs (and thereby conserved energy). In the stance phase of trotting and/or galloping dogs, we found that the supraspinatus, lateral head of the triceps, vastus lateralis, and gastrocnemius were active while being stretched prior to shortening (as would be required for elastic storage of energy), and that this type of activity increased with increasing speed. We also found muscular activity in the select limb flexors that was consistent with storage of kinetic energy at the end of the swing phase and recovery during the propulsive stroke. This activity pattern was apparent in the latissimus dorsi during a walk and trot, and in the biceps femoris during a trot and gallop. We conclude that, during locomotion, a significant fraction of the electrical activity of a number of limbs muscles occurs while they undergo little or no length change or are being stretched prior to shortening and that these types of activities occur in a manner that would enable the operation of pendulum-like and spring-like mechanisms for conserving energy within a stride. Therefore these forms of muscular activity, in addition to the more familiar activity associated with muscle shortening, should be considered to be important during locomotion.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Integr. Comp. Biol.Home page
T. J. Roberts and A. M. Gabaldon
Interpreting muscle function from EMG: lessons learned from direct measurements of muscle force
Integr. Comp. Biol., June 18, 2008; (2008) icn056v1.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Exp. Biol.Home page
D. R. Carrier, S. M. Deban, and T. Fischbein
Locomotor function of forelimb protractor and retractor muscles of dogs: evidence of strut-like behavior at the shoulder
J. Exp. Biol., January 1, 2008; 211(1): 150 - 162.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Exp. Biol.Home page
S. G. Larson and J. T. Stern Jr
Humeral retractor EMG during quadrupedal walking in primates
J. Exp. Biol., April 1, 2007; 210(7): 1204 - 1215.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Exp. Biol.Home page
L. M. Day and B. C. Jayne
Interspecific scaling of the morphology and posture of the limbs during the locomotion of cats (Felidae)
J. Exp. Biol., February 15, 2007; 210(4): 642 - 654.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Exp. Biol.Home page
D. K. Riskin, S. Parsons, W. A. Schutt Jr, G. G. Carter, and J. W. Hermanson
Terrestrial locomotion of the New Zealand short-tailed bat Mystacina tuberculata and the common vampire bat Desmodus rotundus
J. Exp. Biol., May 1, 2006; 209(9): 1725 - 1736.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Science CommunicationHome page
D. J. Arsenault, L. D. Smith, and E. A. Beauchamp
Visual Inscriptions in the Scientific Hierarchy: Mapping the "Treasures of Science"
Science Communication, March 1, 2006; 27(3): 376 - 428.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
J. Exp. Biol.Home page
M. Schmidt
Hind limb proportions and kinematics: are small primates different from other small mammals?
J. Exp. Biol., September 1, 2005; 208(17): 3367 - 3383.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Exp. Biol.Home page
P. A. Zani, J. S. Gottschall, and R. Kram
Giant Galapagos tortoises walk without inverted pendulum mechanical-energy exchange
J. Exp. Biol., April 15, 2005; 208(8): 1489 - 1494.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Exp. Biol.Home page
S. M. Reilly, J. S. Willey, A. R. Biknevicius, and R. W. Blob
Hindlimb function in the alligator: integrating movements, motor patterns, ground reaction forces and bone strain of terrestrial locomotion
J. Exp. Biol., March 15, 2005; 208(6): 993 - 1009.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Exp. Biol.Home page
Y. P. Ivanenko, N. Dominici, G. Cappellini, B. Dan, G. Cheron, and F. Lacquaniti
Development of pendulum mechanism and kinematic coordination from the first unsupported steps in toddlers
J. Exp. Biol., October 1, 2004; 207(21): 3797 - 3810.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Exp. Biol.Home page
T. M. Griffin, R. P. Main, and C. T. Farley
Biomechanics of quadrupedal walking: how do four-legged animals achieve inverted pendulum-like movements?
J. Exp. Biol., September 15, 2004; 207(20): 3545 - 3558.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Exp. Biol.Home page
T. L. Hedrick, B. W. Tobalske, and A. A. Biewener
Estimates of circulation and gait change based on a three-dimensional kinematic analysis of flight in cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) and ringed turtle-doves (Streptopelia risoria)
J. Exp. Biol., May 15, 2002; 205(10): 1389 - 1409.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
D. D. Sheriff and A. L. Hakeman
Role of speed vs. grade in relation to muscle pump function at locomotion onset
J Appl Physiol, July 1, 2001; 91(1): 269 - 276.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Exp. Biol.Home page
M. M. Fife, C. L. Bailey, D. V. Lee, and D. R. Carrier
Function of the oblique hypaxial muscles in trotting dogs
J. Exp. Biol., January 7, 2001; 204(13): 2371 - 2381.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
G. M. Earhart and P. S. G. Stein
Step, Swim, and Scratch Motor Patterns in the Turtle
J Neurophysiol, November 1, 2000; 84(5): 2181 - 2190.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
P. G. Weyand, D. B. Sternlight, M. J. Bellizzi, and S. Wright
Faster top running speeds are achieved with greater ground forces not more rapid leg movements
J Appl Physiol, November 1, 2000; 89(5): 1991 - 1999.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Exp. Biol.Home page
G. Gillis and A. Biewener
Hindlimb extensor muscle function during jumping and swimming in the toad (Bufo marinus)
J. Exp. Biol., January 12, 2000; 203(23): 3547 - 3563.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurophysiol.Home page
M. A. Ashley-Ross and G. V. Lauder
Motor Patterns and Kinematics During Backward Walking in the Pacific Giant Salamander: Evidence for Novel Motor Output
J Neurophysiol, December 1, 1997; 78(6): 3047 - 3060.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
ScienceHome page
A. Biewener
Biomechanics of mammalian terrestrial locomotion
Science, November 23, 1990; 250(4984): 1097 - 1103.
[Abstract] [PDF]




© The Company of Biologists Ltd 1981