The role of forelimb muscles in frog jumping

描述（由申请人提供）：本研究将探讨前肢、躯干肌肉和髂骶关节在青蛙跳跃中的作用。主要目标是将这些元素的数据整合到现有的青蛙（Rana pipiens）的现实肌肉骨骼模型中。为了实现这一目标，我将利用肌肉力学实验、全动物跳跃和向前动态模拟来提供青蛙运动的详细特征。主要的重点是了解躯干肌肉、髂骶关节和前肢在青蛙跳跃中的设计和功能。这种关注的原因是，这些部件被认为在定位身体前部与后肢产生的推进力方面起着关键作用。初步结果表明，前肢的作用比一般认为的要复杂得多。拟议的研究将测试这些想法，最终结果是从分子到整个动物水平对青蛙肌肉骨骼系统有更全面的了解。一旦完成，目前的模型将被修改，以反映祖先的肌肉骨骼设计。比较这些设计之间的跳跃性能将提供独特的见解，以了解产生现代形式功能复杂的青蛙的进化史。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This research will examine the role of the forelimb, trunk muscles, and iliosacral joint in frog jumping. The primary goal is to incorporate data from these elements into an existing realistic musculoskeletal model of the frog (Rana pipiens). To achieve this objective, I will utilize muscle mechanics experiments, whole animal jumping, and forward dynamic simulation to provide a detailed characterization of frog locomotion. The primary focus is understanding the design and function of the trunk muscles, iliosacral joint, and forelimbs in frog jumping. The reason for this focus is that these components are thought to play a key role in positioning the anterior part of the body with the hindlimb generated propulsive force. Preliminary results indicate the role of the forelimbs is more complex than is generally appreciated. The proposed study will test these ideas, with the end result being a more complete understanding of the frog musculoskeletal system from the molecular to the whole animal level. Once completed, the current model will be modified to reflect ancestral musculoskeletal designs. Comparing jumping performance among those designs will provide unique insight into the evolutionary history that produced the modem form-function complex in frogs.