Markerless 3D kinematics and force estimation in cheetahs.

The complex dynamics of animal manoeuvrability in the wild is extremely challenging to study. The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a perfect example: despite great interest in its unmatched speed and manoeuvrability, obtaining complete whole-body motion data from these animals remains an unsolved problem. This is especially difficult in wild cheetahs, where it is essential that the methods used are remote and do not constrain the animal's motion.

Chasing the cheetah: how field biomechanics has evolved to keep up with the fastest land animal.

Studying the motion of cheetahs - especially in the wild - is a technically challenging endeavour that pushes the limits of field biomechanics methodology. Consequently, it provides an interesting example of the scientific symbiosis that exists between experimental biology and the technological disciplines that support it. This article uses cheetah motion research as a basis to review the past, present and likely future of field biomechanics.