Journal article
Role of forelimb morphology in muscle sensorimotor functions during locomotion in the cat
The Journal of physiology, v 603(2), pp 447-487
Jan 2025
PMID: 39705066
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Previous studies established strong links between morphological characteristics of mammalian hindlimb muscles and their sensorimotor functions during locomotion. Less is known about the role of forelimb morphology in motor outputs and generation of sensory signals. Here, we measured morphological characteristics of 46 forelimb muscles from six cats. These characteristics included muscle attachments, physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) and fascicle length. We also recorded full-body mechanics and EMG activity of forelimb muscles during level overground and treadmill locomotion in seven and 16 adult cats of either sex, respectively. We computed forelimb muscle forces along with force- and length-dependent sensory signals mapped onto corresponding cervical spinal segments. We found that patterns of computed muscle forces and afferent activities were strongly affected by the muscle's moment arm, PCSA and fascicle length. Morphology of the shoulder muscles suggests distinct roles of the forelimbs in lateral force production and movements. Patterns of length-dependent sensory activity of muscles with long fibres (brachioradialis, extensor carpi radialis) closely matched patterns of overall forelimb length, whereas the activity pattern of biceps brachii length afferents matched forelimb orientation. We conclude that cat forelimb muscle morphology contributes substantially to locomotor function, particularly to control lateral stability and turning, rather than propulsion.
Metrics
4 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Role of forelimb morphology in muscle sensorimotor functions during locomotion in the cat
- Creators
- Seyed Mohammadali Rahmati - Georgia Institute of TechnologyAlexander N. Klishko - Georgia Institute of TechnologyRamaldo S. Martin - Alameda Applied Sciences CorporationNate E. Bunderson - Autonomous SolutionsJeswin A. Meslie - Georgia Institute of TechnologyT. Richard Nichols - Georgia Institute of TechnologyIlya A. Rybak - Drexel University, Neurobiology and AnatomyAlain Frigon - Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de SherbrookeThomas J. Burkholder - Georgia Institute of TechnologyBoris I. Prilutsky - Georgia Institute of Technology
- Publication Details
- The Journal of physiology, v 603(2), pp 447-487
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 41
- Grant note
- National Science Foundation; National Science Foundation (NSF)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Neurobiology and Anatomy
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001380487200001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85212489309
- Other Identifier
- 991022005690504721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Neurosciences
- Physiology