The role of forelimb muscles in frog jumping

描述(申请人提供)：这项研究将检查前肢、躯干肌肉和髂骶关节在青蛙跳跃中的作用。主要目标是将来自这些元素的数据合并到现有的青蛙(林蛙)的真实肌肉骨骼模型中。为了实现这一目标，我将利用肌肉力学实验、整体动物跳跃和正向动力学模拟来提供青蛙运动的详细特征。主要的重点是了解青蛙跳跃中躯干肌肉、髂骶关节和前肢的设计和功能。之所以关注这一点，是因为这些部件被认为在后肢产生推进力的情况下定位身体的前部起着关键作用。初步结果表明，前肢的作用比人们通常所认识的要复杂得多。这项拟议的研究将检验这些想法，最终结果是从分子到整个动物层面对青蛙肌肉骨骼系统有更全面的了解。一旦完成，目前的模型将进行修改，以反映祖先的肌肉骨骼设计。比较这些设计的跳跃性能，将为我们提供独特的见解，了解青蛙产生现代形式-功能复合体的进化史。

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.