How do treadmill speed and terrain visibility influence neuromuscular control of guinea fowl locomotion

摘要: Locomotor control mechanisms must flexibly adapt to both anticipated and unexpected terrain changes maintain movement avoid a fall. Recent studies revealed that ground birds alter in advance of overground obstacles, but not treadmill suggesting context-dependent shifts the use anticipatory control. We hypothesized differences between obstacle negotiation relate visual sensory information, which influence ability execute manoeuvres. explored two possible explanations: (1) previous obstacles may have been visually imperceptible, as they were low contrast tread, (2) are visible for shorter time compared with runway limiting available visuomotor adjustments. To investigate these factors, we measured electromyographic activity eight hindlimb muscles guinea fowl (Numida meleagris, N=6) during locomotion at speeds (0.7 1.3 m s−1) three conditions each speed: (i) level, (ii) repeated 5 cm low-contrast ( 90% contrast, black/white). muscle would be higher high-contrast slower speed, when viewing is longer. found speed significantly influenced strategy, did not. At observed earlier larger increases kinematic timing. discuss explanations strategies.