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In this section:
See also:
People are welcome to use these materials for non commercial / educational purposes provided copyright is acknowledged in any utilisation. ©Structure and Motion, RVC
Info and sample posters.
Dinosaurs -- see
for example:
Elephants -- see
for example:
Understanding the biomechanics of the horse / surface interaction is critical to equine performance and welfare, and has important implications in basic locomotion science. We currently are examining this interaction in a study funded by the Horserace Betting Levy board and in collaboration with the British Racing School.
Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) provide an interesting model system in which to examine the biomechanics of jumping, and how animals interact with compliant or dynamic substrates. We are collecting high speed video data from local squirrels trained to jump between platforms, as part of a larger study of how animals tune their musculoskeletal systems for elastic or compliant surfaces.
Elastic mechanisms(Shockwave Player required) |
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Spring-mass model animations(Shockwave Player required) |
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Acknowledgments to this work should be given to Dr. Glen Lichtwark |
Horse on treadmill at different gaits(Media Player required) |
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Hoof contact with high speed video(Media Player required) |
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| This video footage of equine hoof contact during trot was filmed with a Redlake high speed camera at 500 frames per second. The footage has been edited and slowed down so as to be accessible on the internet, however it still demonstrates some important issues regarding equine biomechanics. During foot contact is apparent that there is a certain degree of foot deformation as approximately 200 kg (2000 N) is supported by the hoof. In addition, it is apparent that there is a degree of foot slipage during initial contact (this is especially evident with the rear foot). This has implications for surface and shoe design. |
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These images from Sarah Williams' research on unsteady locomotion were taken at Walthamstow in July 2006. Acceleration and jumping highlight two areas of Sarah's research for her PhD thesis.
Please Click on the thumbnails to view a larger version of the images. Please contact Sarah for full size images.
We use numerous mathematical and computational methods to understand animal locomotion. One of these tools is called forward dynamics. Forward dynamics involves applying forces to connected segments and seeing how this might affect the resulting motion. These forces may be modelled forces which represent ground reaction forces, muscle forces or other external forces. In the examples here we have used computer software called SIMM (www.musculographics.com) to simulate how
In all simulations, the images of the bones represent each segment connected by hinge like joints. These bone images are created with computed topography (CT) scans and a 3D reconstruction program called Mimics (www.materialise.com).
Acknowledgement for this work should be given to Dr. Renate Weller
We use ultrasound imaging techniques to assess muscle fascicle length changes in vivo. This requires that an ultrasound probe is attached to a body segment so it can image the muscle fascicles. We have done this in the human gastrocnemius muscle during both walking and running. In these videos, the skin is across the left hand side of the images and fascicles run from here and in a downward, diagonal line to the right hand side of the image where they join onto another think band of collagenous material (think white region) which is the muscle aponeurosis. This is approximately 2cm deep to the muscle.
Please note that these images have been compressed to reduce size.
Acknowledgement for this work should be given to Dr. Renate Weller
Structure and Motion Lab These pages maintained by the SML Contact: Alan Wilson
