OPTIMIZATION OF STRUCTURE AND MOVEMENT OF THE LEGS OF ANIMALS

Authors
Citation
Rm. Alexander, OPTIMIZATION OF STRUCTURE AND MOVEMENT OF THE LEGS OF ANIMALS, Journal of biomechanics, 26, 1993, pp. 1-6
Citations number
22
Categorie Soggetti
Engineering, Biomedical",Biophysics
Journal title
ISSN journal
00219290
Volume
26
Year of publication
1993
Supplement
1
Pages
1 - 6
Database
ISI
SICI code
0021-9290(1993)26:<1:OOSAMO>2.0.ZU;2-J
Abstract
The legs of animals, and their movements, have presumably been optimiz ed by evolution and/or learning for the functions required of them in life. This paper presents a series of studies in which attempts have b een made to formulate optimization problems, to which the legs and the ir movements may be solutions. These are studies of the ratio of radiu s to wall thickness in tubular bones; of the strengths of bones; of te ndon thickness; of the gaits of turtles and of mammals; and of the tec hnique of human high jumping. They illustrate some serious difficultie s that may arise in inverse optimization studies but also show that th e approach is helping to improve our understanding of legs and gaits.