Biomechanics

The study of the mechanical design of living organisms is one of the most rapidly expanding areas of biological research. Greater understanding of the ways in which an animal's body responds to mechanical stress has resulted in significant advances in the fields of zoology, physiology and biomedical engineering. This volume provides a compilation of experimental protocols for researchers in these areas. The emphasis of the book is on evaluating the performance of structures within the musculoskeletal and circulatory systems in the context of their physical activities. Topics covered include: mechanical work in locomotion; aerodynamics of flight; in vivo measurement of bone strain and tendon force; hydrostatic skeletons and muscular hystrostats; circulatory structure and mechanics. This work and its companion "Biomechanics - Materials: A Practical Approach" together provide a comprehensive resource for researchers in zoology, physiology, biomedical engineering and related fields.