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Comparative need for spinal stabilisation between quadrupedal and bipedal locomotion.

S Valentin1, T F Licka1,2

  • 1Equine Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Comparative Exercise Physiology
|September 30, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Trunk muscle activity during locomotion differs significantly between humans and sheep. These species-specific differences in erector spinae (ES) and abdominal muscles highlight varied stabilization strategies, impacting animal model research.

Keywords:
ElectromyographyGaitHumanSheepThoracolumbar spine

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Area of Science:

  • Comparative biomechanics
  • Animal locomotion analysis
  • Spinal cord and musculoskeletal research

Background:

  • Sheep are frequently used as animal models for human lumbar spine studies.
  • However, direct comparisons of trunk muscle activity during locomotion between humans and sheep are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and compare trunk and pelvic limb muscle activity in humans and sheep during walking and running/trotting gaits.
  • To identify species-specific differences in muscle activation patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Electromyography (EMG) of erector spinae (ES), gluteus maximus (GM), rectus abdominis (RA), obliquus externus (OE), and obliquus internus (OI) muscles.
  • Treadmill locomotion (walk and run/trot) in 24 humans and 15 sheep.
  • Kinematic data analysis to define motion cycles and stride characteristics.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in mean and range of normalized muscle activity were observed between humans and sheep, varying by muscle and gait.
  • For instance, abdominal muscle activity was higher in humans during walking, while ES activity was greater in sheep during running/trotting.
  • Timing of maximum muscle activity also differed, with earlier ES activation in sheep during walk and later GM activation in both gaits.

Conclusions:

  • Trunk muscle activity during locomotion is species-specific in humans and sheep.
  • These findings suggest distinct spinal stabilization strategies between species.
  • Caution is advised when extrapolating findings from sheep lumbar spine models to humans.