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Swing-leg trajectory of running guinea fowl suggest task-level priority of force regulation rather than disturbance rejection

Blum, Y; Vejdani, H R; Birn-Jeffery, A V; Hubicki, C M; Hurst, J W; Daley, M A

Authors

Y Blum

H R Vejdani

A V Birn-Jeffery

C M Hubicki

J W Hurst

M A Daley



Abstract

To achieve robust and stable legged locomotion in uneven terrain, animals must effectively coordinate limb swing and stance phases, which involve distinct yet coupled dynamics. Recent theoretical studies have highlighted the critical influence of swing-leg trajectory on stability, disturbance rejection, leg loading and economy of walking and running. Yet, simulations suggest that not all these factors can be simultaneously optimized. A potential trade-off arises between the optimal swing-leg trajectory for disturbance rejection (to maintain steady gait) versus regulation of leg loading (for injury avoidance and economy). Here we investigate how running guinea fowl manage this potential trade-off by comparing experimental data to predictions of hypothesis-based simulations of running over a terrain drop perturbation. We use a simple model to predict swing-leg trajectory and running dynamics. In simulations, we generate optimized swing-leg trajectories based upon specific hypotheses for task-level control priorities. We optimized swing trajectories to achieve i) constant peak force, ii) constant axial impulse, or iii) perfect disturbance rejection (steady gait) in the stance following a terrain drop. We compare simulation predictions to experimental data on guinea fowl running over a visible step down. Swing and stance dynamics of running guinea fowl closely match simulations optimized to regulate leg loading (priorities i and ii), and do not match the simulations optimized for disturbance rejection (priority iii). The simulations reinforce previous findings that swing-leg trajectory targeting disturbance rejection demands large increases in stance leg force following a terrain drop. Guinea fowl negotiate a downward step using unsteady dynamics with forward acceleration, and recover to steady gait in subsequent steps. Our results suggest that guinea fowl use swing-leg trajectory consistent with priority for load regulation, and not for steadiness of gait. Swing-leg trajectory optimized for load regulation may facilitate economy and injury avoidance in uneven terrain.

Citation

Blum, Y., Vejdani, H. R., Birn-Jeffery, A. V., Hubicki, C. M., Hurst, J. W., & Daley, M. A. (2014). Swing-leg trajectory of running guinea fowl suggest task-level priority of force regulation rather than disturbance rejection. PLoS ONE, 9(6), e100399. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0100399

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 27, 2014
Publication Date Jun 30, 2014
Deposit Date Nov 11, 2014
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal PLoS One
Publisher Public Library of Science
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 9
Issue 6
Pages e100399
DOI https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0100399
Public URL https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1405356
Additional Information Corporate Creators : California Riverside, Oregon State University

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