Despite the fact that locomotion may differ widely in mammals, common principles of kinematic control are at work. These reflect common mechanical and neural constraints. The former are related to the need to maintain balance and to limit energy expenditure. The latter are related to the organization of the central pattern-generating networks.

In a series of recent studies, Proffitt and his colleagues have reported that the perceived distance to a target is influenced by the energy expenditure associated with any action, such as walking or throwing, for spanning the distance to the target. In particular, Proffitt, Stefanucci, Banton, and Epstein (2003) reported that wearing a heavy backpack caused verbal reports of distance to increa...

The effects of increasing work (force) requirements on energy expenditure and response topography were examined in 7 rats pressing a beam to earn food. For the 1st 16 days, the force requirement was 5.52 x 10(-2) N (5.625 g). This increased by 4.91 x 10(-2) N (5 g) every 7th session until Ss had experienced 10 upward shifts. Following the 54.57 x 10(-2) N (55.625 g) condition, the original crit...

It is well documented that interval (INT) and continuous (CONT) exercise result in different patterns of blood flow and heat exchange in both heat 8 and cold. 9 Exercise can improve finger temperature 10, 11 and manual dexterity 12, 13 in the cold, but the type of exercise (interval vs. continuous cycling, matched for energy expenditure) has never been evaluated under this paradigm. Thus, we so...

The influence of the geometric parameters of two-link manipulator on the energy expenditure necessary for the implementation of a given movement is investigated. It is proposed approximation-compensatory approach to replace the active actuators in the joints of the manipulator on semi-passive and entirely passive actuators. Advantages and disadvantages of such replacement are analyzed and the f...

Objective(s): Exercise training is a well-known accelerator for the treatment of chronic heart failure (CHF). The current study aimed to investigate the restorative effects of aerobic interval training (AIT) intervention on myocardial energy metabolism in CHF rats. Materials and Methods: Post-myocardial infarction (MI) heart failure animal model was established. The Sprague-Dawley rats were ran...

Energy availability can limit the ability of organisms to survive under stressful conditions. In Drosophila, laboratory experiments have revealed that energy storage patterns differ between populations selected for desiccation and starvation. This suggests that flies may use different sources of energy when exposed to these stresses, but the actual substrates used have not been examined. We mea...