Phase Relationship between Spinal Motion and Limb Support Determines High-speed Running Performance in a Cheetah...

Cheetahs are characterized by large spinal flexion and extension during high-speed running, yet the dynamical role of the phase relationship between spinal motion and limb support remains unclear. We aimed to clarify how this phase relationship affects running performance, focusing on the effect of asymmetric spinal stiffness. Using a simple sagittal planar cheetah model with asymmetric stiffness of the spine undergoing extension or flexion, we numerically searched for periodic bounding solutions over a range of stiffness parameters and compared their ground reaction forces, horizontal velocities, and stability. We obtained both cheetah-like solutions, in which the spine extends after hindlimb liftoff and flexes after forelimb liftoff, and non-cheetah-like solutions, in which the spine flexes after hindlimb liftoff and extends after forelimb liftoff. Under asymmetric spinal stiffness, cheetah-like solutions reduced ground reaction forces while maintaining horizontal velocity more effectively than non-cheetah-like solutions. The phase relationship between spinal motion and stance timing is a key determinant of high-speed running performance. These findings provide a dynamical understanding of cheetah locomotion and suggest design principles for spined legged robots.