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Related Experiment Video

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"Avatar", a Modified Ex vivo Work Loop Experiments Using In vivo Strain and Activation

Published on: August 18, 2023

Muscle function in avian flight: achieving power and control.

Andrew A Biewener¹

¹Concord Field Station, Harvard University, 100 Old Causeway Road, Bedford, MA 01730, USA. abiewener@oeb.harvard.edu

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences

|April 20, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Bird flight muscles, like the pectoralis and supracoracoideus, perform significant work during flapping flight. These muscles are activated while lengthening to enhance power output for flight and maneuvering.

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Area of Science:

Biomechanics
Animal Physiology
Aerodynamics

Background:

Flapping flight demands high physiological performance from birds, especially smaller ones, requiring significant muscle work to generate power for lift and overcoming drag.
Unlike terrestrial locomotion or swimming, bird flight necessitates substantial muscle power output to counteract gravity and maintain aerial stability.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the function and architecture of key avian flight muscles.
To explain how these muscles generate power for flapping flight, control wing motion, and aid in maneuvering.
To investigate muscle activation and strain patterns during different flight phases.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on avian flight muscle physiology and biomechanics.
Analysis of muscle fiber length changes and activation patterns during wing strokes.
Examination of muscle strain ranges for primary and secondary flight muscles.

Main Results:

Pectoralis and supracoracoideus muscles shorten significantly (33-42% of fiber length) during wing strokes, with activation during lengthening enhancing work output.
Smaller muscles like the triceps and biceps exhibit smaller contractile strains (12-23%), controlling wing shape via elbow movement.
Pigeons adjust wing stroke planes using whole-body pitch, allowing consistent muscle activation timing and strain patterns during take-off, landing, and level flight.

Conclusions:

Avian flight muscles are architecturally adapted to produce high power outputs through large excursions and specific activation strategies.
Muscle recruitment and strain patterns are optimized for efficient power generation and control during flapping flight.
Pigeons demonstrate remarkable muscle control adaptability by adjusting flight mechanics rather than muscle activation patterns for maneuvering.