Biomaterial Database

A technique for estimating mechanical work of individual muscles in the cat during treadmill locomotion. 1984

W C Whiting, and R J Gregor, and R R Roy, and V R Edgerton

Mechanical work, the product of force and length change, was assessed in selected hindlimb extensors of two adult cats during three different speeds of unrestrained treadmill locomotion. Forces were measured using implanted transducers placed on the soleus (SOL) and medial gastrocnemius (MG) tendons. A three dimensional technique of muscle length estimation using high speed cinematography was found preferable to either two dimensional or trigonometric measurements derived from anatomical and kinematic parameters. Length excursions increased in both muscles as treadmill speed increased. However, at all speeds of locomotion, the uniarticular SOL exhibited a greater range of motion than the biarticular MG. Increases in treadmill speed resulted in higher peak forces in the MG and constant or slightly lower peak forces in the SOL. These speed-dependent changes in length and force resulted in higher total positive work, lower total negative work, and higher net work for both muscles with increasing speeds. These data illustrate the importance of three-dimensional kinematics in determining changes in muscle length and describe the relative force and work changes in a slow and fast ankle extensor with changes in speed of locomotion.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008124	Locomotion	Movement or the ability to move from one place or another. It can refer to humans, vertebrate or invertebrate animals, and microorganisms.	Locomotor Activity,Activities, Locomotor,Activity, Locomotor,Locomotor Activities
D008297	Male		Males
D009068	Movement	The act, process, or result of passing from one place or position to another. It differs from LOCOMOTION in that locomotion is restricted to the passing of the whole body from one place to another, while movement encompasses both locomotion but also a change of the position of the whole body or any of its parts. Movement may be used with reference to humans, vertebrate and invertebrate animals, and microorganisms. Differentiate also from MOTOR ACTIVITY, movement associated with behavior.	Movements
D009119	Muscle Contraction	A process leading to shortening and/or development of tension in muscle tissue. Muscle contraction occurs by a sliding filament mechanism whereby actin filaments slide inward among the myosin filaments.	Inotropism,Muscular Contraction,Contraction, Muscle,Contraction, Muscular,Contractions, Muscle,Contractions, Muscular,Inotropisms,Muscle Contractions,Muscular Contractions
D009132	Muscles	Contractile tissue that produces movement in animals.	Muscle Tissue,Muscle,Muscle Tissues,Tissue, Muscle,Tissues, Muscle
D001835	Body Weight	The mass or quantity of heaviness of an individual. It is expressed by units of pounds or kilograms.	Body Weights,Weight, Body,Weights, Body
D002415	Cats	The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801)	Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D005260	Female		Females
D006614	Hindlimb	Either of two extremities of four-footed non-primate land animals. It usually consists of a FEMUR; TIBIA; and FIBULA; tarsals; METATARSALS; and TOES. (From Storer et al., General Zoology, 6th ed, p73)	Hindlimbs
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia