Preliminary study on kinematic gait analysis in mammals.

Abstract

The gait of several extant mammals was analyzed so as to provide basic data for the restoration of the terrestrial locomotion of extinct animals. An attempt has been made to establish the correlation between the gaits and the morphological data, as the latter can be obtained even from fossils. Animals walking naturally were recorded on videotape, appropriate frames were then printed for analysis. Five kinds of gaits are illustrated here with supporting graphs. In addition, some diagrams were drawn using variables of the gait cycle, the rhythm of limb work, the rhythm of locomotion and the hindlimb length ratio to the trunk. Changes in the four joint angles during a gait cycle were measured and graphed for comparison with each limb joint among mammals with four typical foot postures. The kind of gait was determined in relation to the limb length ratio, the gait cycle and the position of the center of gravity. The joint angle of limbs is in relation to foot posture. The wrist joint in walking is analogous to the knee joint in the degree, direction and timing of flexion.