Exploring the accuracy of palaeobiological modelling procedures in forward-dynamics simulations of maximum-effort vertical jumping

Cross, SRR ORCID: 0000-0002-3096-3428, Charles, JP ORCID: 0000-0001-8256-8035, Sellers, WI ORCID: 0000-0002-2913-5406, Codd, JR ORCID: 0000-0003-0211-1786 and Bates, KT ORCID: 0000-0002-0048-141X (2025) Exploring the accuracy of palaeobiological modelling procedures in forward-dynamics simulations of maximum-effort vertical jumping Royal Society Open Science, 12 (5). 242109-. ISSN 2054-5703, 2054-5703

	Text Cross_MS_Final.pdf - Author Accepted Manuscript Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (2MB) | Preview
	Text cross-et-al-exploring-the-accuracy-of-palaeobiological-modelling-procedures-in-forward-dynamics-simulations-of-maximum.pdf - Open Access published version Download (3MB) | Preview

Abstract

The body fossil record cannot preserve the dynamics of animal locomotion, and the only way to systematically reconstruct it is through simulation. However, musculoskeletal models used in simulation studies are typically simplified, meaning that their efficacy must first be demonstrated on living animals. Here, we evaluate a workflow for forward-dynamics simulations of maximum-effort vertical jumping, using simplified human and guineafowl models built with muscle masses from either measured data or estimated with methods previously applied to fossils. Predicted human performance was approximately 10% below experimental averages when known muscle masses were used, while the error ranged between +3 and -10% with palaeobiological methods. The simulations also correctly replicated the kinematic strategies (countermovement or squat jump) used across different starting postures. In contrast, predicted guineafowl performance was around 50-60% experimental values, irrespective of reconstruction method. Guineafowl model underperformance likely reflects simplifications related to foot mobility, muscle activation speeds and muscle fibre lengths, with the latter potentially being adaptively important to exceptional avian jumping performance. These findings emphasize that current muscle reconstruction and simulation approaches are most suited for evolutionary analyses where broad changes in body morphology and posture may significantly impact vertical jumping through pronounced qualitative differences in kinematic strategy.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	jumping, simulation, multibody dynamics, model validation, human, bird
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Life Courses & Medical Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	07 Apr 2025 09:25
Last Modified:	28 Feb 2026 00:46
DOI:	10.1098/rsos.242109
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3191223
Disclaimer:	The University of Liverpool is not responsible for content contained on other websites from links within repository metadata. Please contact us if you notice anything that appears incorrect or inappropriate.