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Dynamic gearing in running dogs

D R Carrier¹, C S Gregersen, N A Silverton

¹Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0840, USA. carrier@biology.utah.edu.

The Journal of Experimental Biology

|November 11, 1998

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Dynamic gearing in dogs does not optimize muscle performance at most joints during locomotion. However, increasing gear ratios at the shoulder and knee suggest dynamic gearing may enhance running economy and limb function.

Area of Science:

Biomechanics
Animal Locomotion
Skeletal Muscle Physiology

Background:

Dynamic gearing is a proposed mechanism to improve skeletal muscle performance by optimizing shortening velocities for power or efficiency.
This hypothesis suggests that changing gear ratios in limb joints can enhance muscle function during locomotion.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the dynamic gearing hypothesis in domestic dogs during trotting and galloping.
To determine if dynamic gearing enhances muscle power or efficiency during locomotion.

Main Methods:

Ground force recordings and kinematic analysis were used to calculate joint gear ratios during locomotion.
Sonomicrometry monitored the length changes of the vastus lateralis muscle (knee extensor) to assess muscle shortening.

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Main Results:

Gear ratios at the elbow, wrist, and ankle decreased during the latter half of limb support in both gaits.
The hip joint's gear ratio initially extended but became negative midway through limb support.
In contrast, shoulder and knee extensor muscles showed an increased gear ratio during limb support.
The vastus lateralis muscle demonstrated a constant shortening velocity during galloping, consistent with dynamic gearing at the knee.

Conclusions:

Dynamic gearing does not appear to maximize muscle power or efficiency at the elbow, wrist, hip, and ankle joints during canine locomotion.
The increasing gear ratio and constant muscle shortening velocity at the knee joint support the dynamic gearing hypothesis for this specific joint.
Dynamic gearing at the knee and shoulder may contribute to the energetic economy of constant-speed running in dogs and integrated limb function.