Predictive musculoskeletal simulations reveal the mechanistic link between speed, posture and energetics among extant mammals

We challenged predictive human musculoskeletal simulations, scaled in mass from the size of a mouse (0.1 kg) to the size of an elephant (2000 kg), to move as fast as possible. Our models replicated patterns observed across extant animals including: (i) an intermediate optimal body mass for speed; (ii) a reduction in the cost of transport with increasing size; and (iii) crouched postures at smaller body masses and upright postures at larger body masses. Finally, we used our models to determine the mechanical limitations of speed with size.

Data and code is provided to reproduce figures 1-4
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