Determining the influence of muscle operating length on muscle performance during frog swimming using a bio-robotic model

Christofer J Clemente; C Richards

doi:10.1088/1748-3182/7/3/036018

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Determining the influence of muscle operating length on muscle performance during frog swimming using a bio-robotic model

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Determining the influence of muscle operating length on muscle performance during frog swimming using a bio-robotic model

Christofer J Clemente and C Richards

Bioinspiration and Biomimetics, Vol.7(3)

2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-3182/7/3/036018

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Abstract

biomimetic material

animal

biological model

biomimetics

computer aided design

computer simulation

energy transfer

equipment design

equipment failure analysis

instrumentation

muscle contraction

Frogs are capable of impressive feats of jumping and swimming. Recent work has shown that anuran hind limb muscles can operate at lengths longer than the optimal length. To address the implications of muscle operating length on muscle power output and swimming mechanics, we built a robotic frog hind limb model based upon Xenopus laevis. The model simulated the force-length and force-velocity properties of vertebrate muscle, within the skeletal environment. We tested three muscle starting lengths, representing long, optimal and short starting lengths. Increasing starting length increased maximum muscle power output by 27% from 98.1W kg1when muscle begins shortening from the optimal length, to 125.1W kg1when the muscle begins at longer initial lengths. Therefore, longer starting lengths generated greater hydrodynamic force for extended durations, enabling faster swimming speeds of the robotic frog. These swimming speeds increased from 0.15m s1at short initial muscle lengths, to 0.39m s1for the longest initial lengths. Longer starting lengths were able to increase power as the muscle's force-length curve was better synchronized with the muscle's activation profile. We further dissected the underlying components of muscle force, separating force-length versus force-velocity effects, showing a transition from force-length limitations to force-velocity limitations as starting length increased. © 2012 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Details

Title: Determining the influence of muscle operating length on muscle performance during frog swimming using a bio-robotic model
Authors: Christofer J Clemente (Author) - Harvard University, United States
C Richards (Author) - Harvard University, United States
Publication details: Bioinspiration and Biomimetics, Vol.7(3)
Publisher: Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd.
Date published: 2012
DOI: 10.1088/1748-3182/7/3/036018
ISSN: 1748-3182
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449174102621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Engineering, Multidisciplinary; Materials Science, Biomaterials; Robotics

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