Loco Flashcards
Ambling gait
Unnatural for most breeds but can be taught
Duty factor
Fraction of time each limb spends on the ground
Plantigrade
Soles of feet - humans
Digitigrade
On digits - dog
Unguligrade
On hooves - horse
Ground reaction force (GFR)
Move by exerting forces in their external environment
Peak force
Inc with speed as duration of contact inc
Velocity =
Change in position / change in time
Acceleration =
Change in velocity / change in time
Force =
Mass X acceleration
Work done =
Force X distance
Power =
Work done/time = force X velocity
Convergent evolution
Similar structures evolve independently
Electromyography (EMG)
Measures electrical activity of a muscle
Moment =
Force X perp distance from pivot
Lateral body undulation
Side to side - limbless animals - sprawling gait
Coupled breathing
Syncing stride rhythm and breathing
Pneumatic stabilisation
Using lungs as a airbag to stabilise during loco
Visceral piston model
Movement of guts exerts force during loco that aids ventilation - inertia during deceleration
Lever equation
F muscle X D1 = F out X D2
D1 - joint to muscle
D2 - joint to external load
Effective mechanical advantage (EMA) =
r / R
r - muscle movement of arm
R - moment of GRF
EMA equation 2
Fm X r = G X R
Fm - moment acting in joint
G - GFR
Duty factor =
T stance / T stride
Symmetrical gait
Left & right limbs alternate
