Work

The role of mice tails in response to external and self-generated balance perturbations on the roll plane

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Chordate tails exhibit considerable morphological and functional diversity, with variations in length, diameter and texture adapted to various ecological roles. While some animals, including humans, have lost or reduced their tails, many vertebrates retain and use their tails for activities such as balancing, climbing, and escaping predators. This study investigates how laboratory mice (Mus musculus) use their tails to maintain balance when dealing with external and self-generated perturbations. Mice crossed platforms of different widths, while responding to roll-plane tilts. Our findings show that mice swing their tails to counteract external roll perturbations, generating angular momentum to stabilize themselves. Mice were also found to use active (dynamic stabilizer) and passive (counterweight) tail movement strategies when locomoting on narrow platforms. The results suggest that the tail is a core component of mouse locomotion, especially in challenging balancing conditions.

Source: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University)

Authors: Lacava, Salvatore Andrea, Isilak, Necmettin, Uusisaari, Marylka Yoe

Institution: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University

Language: English

Topic: Balance, Gait, and Falls Prevention

Subfield: Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Award: G691926019

OpenAlex ID: W6996339781