Locomotor performance, survivorship, and related functional morphology of juvenile and adult Sylvilagus floridanus

Data are from a long-term study of musculoskeletal growth, locomotor performance, and survivorship in Eastern Cottontail Rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus). Locomotor performance data include mean acceleration achieved over single half-bounding strides from a standing start, ground reaction force magnitudes for these strides, and peak COM power during these strides. Data were quantified using a combination of 3D video-based kinematics and force plate recordings. Survivorship data include peak acceleration per individual, age at capture, and age at death. EMA (effective mechanical advantage) data include measures effective mechanical advantage at the hip, knee and ankle joints during half-bounding strides (measured at the moment that the resultant ground reaction force reached its peak). Finally, fiber type data include counts of various slow and fast myosin heavy chain isoform fiber types in hindlimb extensor muscles in juvenile and adult rabbits.