Trunk Motion during Bipedal Walking in Primates A Comparison among Humans, the White-handed Gibbon, and Japanese Macaques

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the trunk movements of the white-handed gibbon and Japanese macaques to clarify the trunk control mechanism during bipedal walking in non-human primates. Axial rotation : The RoM (Range of motion) of the thoracic rotation relative to the pelvis did not differ between humans and other primates, suggesting that the trunk rotation mechanism is caused by the mechanical requirements of bipedal locomotion. Lateral list : This study revealed different lateral list patterns in the gibbon and Japanese macaques from the chimpanzees, suggesting interspecies differences in the postural control strategy of the trunk. Future anatomical studies using cadavers are needed to clarify its mechanise, although the vertebral coupling motion during bipedal walking was similar between humans and non-human primates.