Journal article
Asymmetric bipedal locomotion – an adaptive response to incomplete spinal injury in the chick
Experimental brain research, Vol.122(3), pp.275-282
09/1998
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/115186
PMID: 9808300
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare the asymmetric gait induced by unilateral spinal cord injury in chicks with asymmetric gaits of other bipeds and quadrupeds. After lateral hemisection of the left thoracic spinal cord, kinetic (ground reaction forces) and kinematic (distance and timing) data were recorded as chicks moved overground unrestrained. Ground reaction forces were analyzed to obtain the mechanical energy changes throughout the stride. Kinematic measurements were obtained over a range of speeds to determine the velocity-dependent characteristics of the gait. Hemisected chicks adopted an asymmetric hopping gait in which the animals hopped from the right leg (contralateral to the lesion) onto the left (ipsilateral) leg but then fell forward onto the right leg. Mechanical energy fluctuations throughout a single stride (i.e., two steps) approximated the oscillations that occur during a single walking step of control animals. When examined over a range of velocities, asymmetries in limb timing remained constant, but distance measurements such as step length became more symmetric as speed increased.The results show that, after spinal hemisection, adaptations of the remaining neural circuitry permitted the production of a locomotor pattern that, in addition to providing effective support and propulsion, incorporated some of the energy-conserving mechanisms of the normal walk. Adjustment of this novel locomotor pattern for different velocities further demonstrates the flexibility of locomotor circuitry. Comparisons with other studies shows that this gait shares some temporal and energetic features with asymmetric gaits of several bipedal species, including humans. In particular, hemisected chicks and some hemiplegic humans adopt an asymmetric gait in which maximum energy recovery occurs during the stance of the affected limb; these similarities probably relate to common mechanical constraints imposed on bipedal forms of terrestrial locomotion.
Metrics
2 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Asymmetric bipedal locomotion – an adaptive response to incomplete spinal injury in the chick
- Creators
- G. D Muir - Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1Z4 CAStephen L Katz - Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1Z4 CAJohn M Gosline - Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1Z4 CAJohn D Steeves - Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1Z4 CA
- Publication Details
- Experimental brain research, Vol.122(3), pp.275-282
- Academic Unit
- Environment, School of the (CAS)
- Publisher
- Springer-Verlag; Berlin/Heidelberg
- Identifiers
- 99900547322101842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article