A Dynamic Force Analysis System for Climbing of Large Primates

Vol. 77, No. 3, 2006

Free Abstract Article (References) Article (PDF 742 KB)

Technical Report

A Dynamic Force Analysis System for Climbing of Large Primates
Kirsten Schoonaert^{a, b}, Kristiaan D'Août^{a, b}, Peter Aerts^a

^aDepartment of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, and
^bCentre for Research and Conservation, Antwerp, Belgium

Address of Corresponding Author

Folia Primatol 2006;77:246-254 (DOI: 10.1159/000091234)

Key Words

Pan paniscus
Primates
Arborealism
Kinetics
Biomechanics
Locomotion

Abstract

Registering substrate reaction forces from primates during climbing requires the design and construction of customized recording devices. The technical difficulties in constructing a reliable apparatus hinder research on the kinetics of primate locomotion. This is unfortunate since arboreal locomotion, especially vertical climbing, is an important component of the hominoid locomotor repertoire. In this technical paper, we describe a custom-built climbing pole that allows recordings of dynamic 3-dimensional forces during locomotion on horizontal and sloping substrates and during vertical climbing. The pole contains an instrumented section that can readily be modified and enables us to register forces of a single limb or multiple limbs in a broad range of primates. For verification, we constructed a similar set-up (which would not be usable for primates) using a conventional force plate. Data for a human subject walking on both set-ups were compared. The experimental set-up records accurate and reliable substrate reaction forces in three orthogonal directions. Because of its adjustability, this type of modular set-up can be used for a great variety of primate studies. When combining such kinetic measurements together with kinematic information, data of great biomechanical value can be generated. These data will hopefully allow biological anthropologists to answer current questions about primate behaviours on vertical substrates.

Author Contacts

Kirsten Schoonaert, Laboratory of Functional Morphology
Department of Biology, University of Antwerp
Universiteitsplein 1, BE-2610 Wilrijk (Belgium)
Tel. +32 3 820 22 60, Fax +32 3 820 22 71
E-Mail kirsten.schoonaert@ua.ac.be

Article Information

Received: July 12, 2004
Accepted after revision: November 17, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 9
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 46

Medline Abstract (ID 16612099)

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