Quantifying Three-Dimensional Internal and External Deformations in Flexible Organisms during Locomotion
Abstract
Most soft-bodied or flexible animals move their bodies and appendages in complex three-dimensional ways as they move through natural environments. Though the largest locomotory movements often occur primarily in a plane, crucial movements for stabilization usually occur out of the plane in complex 3D patterns. Moreover, musculoskeletal tissues have a complex 3D anatomy that deforms in 3D, and these shape changes contribute to the versatility and passive stability of animal movements. We propose to develop a system to measure the internal musculoskeletal deformations, muscle activation, and external body and shape changes in 3D for fishes during both steady swimming behaviors and rapid motions. We will also examine how the muscle and body deforms during in situ experiments, in which we measure the bodyÕs nonlinear stiffness and damping properties when muscle is being activated. The new system will give us a much more complete view of how flexible animals control their movements, both internally and externally, passively and actively, as they move effectively and stably through complex and unpredictable environments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 16, 2018
- Source ID
- W911NF1710234
Entities
People
- Eric D Tytell
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Tufts University
- United States Army