Model-based assessment of muscle forces and strain distribution in the femur of Cabot's Tragopans (Tragopan caboti)

The hindlimbs play a crucial role in bird locomotion, making the biomechanical properties of the musculoskeletal system in these limbs a focal point for researchers studying avian behaviour. However, a comprehensive analysis of the mechanical performance within the long bones of hindlimbs during loc...

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Main Authors: Xinsen Wei, Zihui Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2023-01-01
Series:Avian Research
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2053716623000750
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author Xinsen Wei
Zihui Zhang
author_facet Xinsen Wei
Zihui Zhang
author_sort Xinsen Wei
collection DOAJ
description The hindlimbs play a crucial role in bird locomotion, making the biomechanical properties of the musculoskeletal system in these limbs a focal point for researchers studying avian behaviour. However, a comprehensive analysis of the mechanical performance within the long bones of hindlimbs during locomotion remains lacking. In the present study, the strain and deformation of the femur of Cabot's Tragopans (Tragopan caboti) were estimated. We employed inverse simulation to calculate the force and moment of femoral muscles during mid-stance terrestrial locomotion and conducted finite element analysis to calculate femoral strain. Results showed that during mid-stance, the femur experiences combined deformation primarily characterized by torsion, bending, and compression. It emphasises the importance of considering the influence of varying loads on bone adaptation when investigating bone form-function relationships. Muscles were found to play a significant role in offsetting joint loads on the femur, subsequently reducing the deformation and overall strain on the bone. This reduction enhances femoral safety during locomotion, allowing birds to meet mechanical demands while maintaining a lightweight bone structure. Notably, the M. iliotrochantericus caudalis significantly reduces torsional deformation of the proximal femur, protecting the vulnerable femoral neck from high fracture risk induced by rotation load. Given that the femur torsion during terrestrial locomotion in birds is associated with changes in hindlimb posture due to their adaptation to flight, the characteristics of M. iliotrochantericus caudalis may provide insight into the locomotor evolution of theropods and the origin of avian flight.
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spelling doaj.art-02d6585a392343308e7e5dcdfde568da2023-11-27T04:14:41ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Avian Research2053-71662023-01-0114100149Model-based assessment of muscle forces and strain distribution in the femur of Cabot's Tragopans (Tragopan caboti)Xinsen Wei0Zihui Zhang1Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Linyi University, Linyi, 276000, China; College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, 100048, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, 100048, China; Corresponding author.The hindlimbs play a crucial role in bird locomotion, making the biomechanical properties of the musculoskeletal system in these limbs a focal point for researchers studying avian behaviour. However, a comprehensive analysis of the mechanical performance within the long bones of hindlimbs during locomotion remains lacking. In the present study, the strain and deformation of the femur of Cabot's Tragopans (Tragopan caboti) were estimated. We employed inverse simulation to calculate the force and moment of femoral muscles during mid-stance terrestrial locomotion and conducted finite element analysis to calculate femoral strain. Results showed that during mid-stance, the femur experiences combined deformation primarily characterized by torsion, bending, and compression. It emphasises the importance of considering the influence of varying loads on bone adaptation when investigating bone form-function relationships. Muscles were found to play a significant role in offsetting joint loads on the femur, subsequently reducing the deformation and overall strain on the bone. This reduction enhances femoral safety during locomotion, allowing birds to meet mechanical demands while maintaining a lightweight bone structure. Notably, the M. iliotrochantericus caudalis significantly reduces torsional deformation of the proximal femur, protecting the vulnerable femoral neck from high fracture risk induced by rotation load. Given that the femur torsion during terrestrial locomotion in birds is associated with changes in hindlimb posture due to their adaptation to flight, the characteristics of M. iliotrochantericus caudalis may provide insight into the locomotor evolution of theropods and the origin of avian flight.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2053716623000750Cabot's tragopanFemurFinite element analysisInverse simulationMuscle forceStrain
spellingShingle Xinsen Wei
Zihui Zhang
Model-based assessment of muscle forces and strain distribution in the femur of Cabot's Tragopans (Tragopan caboti)
Avian Research
Cabot's tragopan
Femur
Finite element analysis
Inverse simulation
Muscle force
Strain
title Model-based assessment of muscle forces and strain distribution in the femur of Cabot's Tragopans (Tragopan caboti)
title_full Model-based assessment of muscle forces and strain distribution in the femur of Cabot's Tragopans (Tragopan caboti)
title_fullStr Model-based assessment of muscle forces and strain distribution in the femur of Cabot's Tragopans (Tragopan caboti)
title_full_unstemmed Model-based assessment of muscle forces and strain distribution in the femur of Cabot's Tragopans (Tragopan caboti)
title_short Model-based assessment of muscle forces and strain distribution in the femur of Cabot's Tragopans (Tragopan caboti)
title_sort model based assessment of muscle forces and strain distribution in the femur of cabot s tragopans tragopan caboti
topic Cabot's tragopan
Femur
Finite element analysis
Inverse simulation
Muscle force
Strain
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2053716623000750
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AT zihuizhang modelbasedassessmentofmuscleforcesandstraindistributioninthefemurofcabotstragopanstragopancaboti