Natural Frequency Method: estimating the preferred walking speed of Tyrannosaurus rex based on tail natural frequency.

ABSTRACT: Locomotor energetics are an important determinant of an animal's ecological niche. It is commonly assumed that animals minimize locomotor energy expenditure by selecting gait kinematics tuned to the natural frequencies of relevant body parts. We demonstrate that this allows estimation of the preferred step frequency and walking speed of Tyrannosaurus rex, using an approach we introduce as the Natural Frequency Method. Although the tail of bipedal dinosaurs was actively involved in walking, it was suspended passively by the caudal interspinous ligaments. These allowed for elastic energy storage, thereby reducing the metabolic cost of transport. In order for elastic energy storage to be high, step and natural frequencies would have to be matched. Using a 3D morphological reconstructio

SUBMITTER: van Bijlert PA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8059583 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature