Publication
Title
Scaling of plantar pressures in mammals
Author
Abstract
The interaction of the limbs with the substrate can teach a lot about an animal's gait mechanics. Unlike ground-reaction forces, plantar pressure distributions are rarely studied in animals, but they may provide more detailed information about the loading patterns and locomotor function of specific anatomical structures. With this study, we aim to describe pressures for a large and diverse sample of mammalian species, focusing on scaling effects. We collected dynamic plantar pressure distributions during voluntary walking in 28 mammal species. A dynamic classification of foot use was made, which distinguished between plantiportal, digitiportal and unguliportal animals. Analysis focused on scaling effects of peak pressures, peak forces and foot contact areas. Peak pressure for the complete mammal sample was found to scale to (mass)1/2, higher than predicted assuming geometric similarity, and we found no difference between the different types of foot use. Only the scaling of peak force is dependent on the dynamic foot use. We conclude that plantar peak pressure rises faster with mass than expected, regardless of the type of foot use, and scales higher than in limb bones. These results might explain some anatomical and behavioural adaptations in graviportal animals.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of zoology. - London
Publication
London : 2009
ISSN
0952-8369
0022-5460
DOI
10.1111/J.1469-7998.2009.00611.X
Volume/pages
279 :3 (2009) , p. 236-242
ISI
000271249800003
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 28.10.2009
Last edited 23.08.2022
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