Journal
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Volume 285, Issue 1893, Pages -Publisher
ROYAL SOC
DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.1766
Keywords
energetics; locomotion; rhythmicity; dynamic stability
Categories
Funding
- National Science Foundation [BCS 9706676, 0109130, 0240865, 0504685, 0725126, 0725147, 0962682, 1062239]
- Direct For Social, Behav & Economic Scie
- Division Of Behavioral and Cognitive Sci [0725147, 0725126] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
- Direct For Social, Behav & Economic Scie
- Division Of Behavioral and Cognitive Sci [0240865, 0504685, 1062239, 0962682, 0109130] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
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Speed-related gait transitions occur in many animals, but it remains unclear what factors trigger gait changes. While the most widely accepted function of gait transitions is that they reduce locomotor costs, there is no obvious metabolic trigger signalling animals when to switch gaits. An alternative approach suggests that gait transitions serve to reduce locomotor instability. While there is evidence supporting this in humans, similar research has not been conducted in other species. This study explores energetics and stride variability during the walk-run transition in mammals and birds. Across nine species, energy savings do not predict the occurrence of a gait transition. Instead, our findings suggest that animals trigger gait transitions to maintain high locomotor rhythmicity and reduce unstable states. Metabolic efficiency is an important benefit of gait transitions, but the reduction in dynamic instability may be the proximate trigger determining when those transitions occur.
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