Related Experiment Videos
Force-sharing among the primary cat ankle muscles.
1University of Calgary, Faculty of Kinesiology, AB, Canada. walter@kin.ucalgary.ca
European Journal of Morphology
|April 1, 1999
Summary
Cat ankle extensor muscles show maximal soleus forces during locomotion, with force-sharing primarily driven by central nervous system factors, not muscle properties. This clarifies muscle activation and control mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Neuroscience
- Animal Locomotion
Background:
- Force-sharing in cat ankle extensors is crucial for understanding movement control.
- Debate exists regarding soleus muscle activation during low-level locomotion and the drivers of force-sharing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the degree of soleus muscle activation during locomotion.
- To determine whether central or peripheral factors primarily influence force-sharing among ankle extensors.
Main Methods:
- Measured forces and electromyographical activities in soleus, gastrocnemius, plantaris, and tibialis anterior muscles in over 20 cats.
- Analyzed data across various locomotion speeds and movements.
- Integrated structural and functional properties of cat ankle muscles.
Main Results:
- Peak soleus forces are near-maximal across all locomotion speeds, even with apparent submaximal activation at slower speeds.
- Force-sharing between soleus and gastrocnemius spans the full possible range, from standing to high-frequency paw shakes.
- Shifts in force-sharing are predominantly attributed to central factors.
Conclusions:
- Soleus muscle force output is consistently high during locomotion.
- Central neural control is the primary determinant of force-sharing strategies among ankle extensor muscles.
- Peripheral muscle characteristics play a secondary role in modulating force-sharing.