title: Planar Covariation of Hindlimb and Forelimb Elevation Angles during Terrestrial and Aquatic Locomotion of Dogs.
abstract: The rich repertoire of locomotor behaviors in quadrupedal animals requires flexible inter-limb and inter-segmental coordination. Here we studied the kinematic coordination of different gaits (walk, trot, gallop, and swim) of six dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and, in particular, the planar covariation of limb segment elevation angles. The results showed significant variations in the relative duration of rearward limb movement, amplitude of angular motion, and inter-limb coordination, with gait patterns ranging from a lateral sequence of footfalls during walking to a diagonal sequence in swimming. Despite these differences, the planar law of inter-segmental coordination was maintained across different gaits in both forelimbs and hindlimbs. Notably, phase relationships and orientation of the covariation plane were highly limb specific, consistent with the functional differences in their neural control. Factor analysis of published muscle activity data also demonstrated differences in the characteristic timing of basic activation patterns of the forelimbs and hindlimbs. Overall, the results demonstrate that the planar covariation of inter-segmental coordination has emerged for both fore- and hindlimbs and all gaits, although in a limb-specific manner.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Space Bio-medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy; Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, Santa Lucia Foundation, 00179, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Catavitello
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, Santa Lucia Foundation, 00179, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Yuri P
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Ivanenko
authors.affiliation: Centre of Space Bio-medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy; Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, Santa Lucia Foundation, 00179, Rome, Italy; Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lacquaniti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004285:Dogs; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005552:Forelimb / Q000502:physiology*; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000502:physiology*; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology