The mechanical power output of the flight muscles of blue-breasted quail(Coturnix chinensis) during take-off

摘要

Blue-breasted quail (Coturnix chinensis) were filmed during take-off flights. By tracking the position of the centre of mass of the bird in three dimensions, we were able to calculate the power required to increase the potential and kinetic energy. In addition, high-speed video recordings of the position of the wings over the course of the wing stroke, and morphological measurements, allowed us to calculate the aerodynamic and inertial power requirements. The total power output required from the pectoralis muscle was, on average, 390 W kg(-1), which was similar to the highest measurements made on bundles of muscle fibres in vitro (433 W kg(-1)), although for one individual a power output of 530 W kg(-1) was calculated. The majority of the power was required to increase the potential energy of the body. The power output of these muscles is the highest yet found for any muscle in repetitive contractions.