When humans jump down from a high position, there is a risk of serious injury to the lower limbs. However, cats can jump down from the same heights without any injury because of their excellent ability to attenuate impact forces. The present study aims to investigate the macro/micro biomechanical features of paw pads and limb bones of cats, and the coordination control of joints during landing, providing insights into how cats protect themselves from landing injury. Accordingly, histological analysis, radiological analysis, finite element method, and mechanical testing were performed to investigate the mechanical properties, microstructure, and biomechanical response of the pads and limb bones. In addition, using a motion capture system, the kinematic/kinetic data during landing were analysed based on inverse dynamics. The results show that the pads and limb bones are major contributors to non-impact-injuries, and cats actively couple their joints to adjust the parameters of movement to dissipate the higher impact. Therefore, the paw pads, limb bones, and coordinated joints complement each other and constitute a multi-level buffering mechanism, providing the cat with the sophisticated shock absorption system. This biomechanical analysis can accordingly provide biological inspiration for new approaches to prevent human lower limb injuries.

中文翻译：

---

猫如何抵御着陆伤害：多层次缓冲机制的见解

当人类从高处跳下时，下肢可能会受到严重伤害。但是，由于猫具有出色的衰减冲击力的能力，它们可以从相同的高度跳下来而不会受到任何伤害。本研究旨在调查猫爪垫和四肢骨骼的宏观/微观生物力学特征，以及着陆过程中关节的协调控制，从而为猫如何保护自己免受着陆伤害提供见解。因此，进行了组织学分析，放射学分析，有限元方法和力学测试，以研究垫和四肢骨骼的力学性能，微观结构和生物力学响应。另外，使用运动捕捉系统，基于逆动力学分析了着陆期间的运动学/运动学数据。结果表明，垫块和四肢骨头是无冲击伤害的主要因素，猫积极地联接其关节以调整运动参数以消除更高的冲击力。因此，爪垫，四肢骨头和协调关节相互补充，构成了多级缓冲机制，为猫提供了复杂的减震系统。因此，这种生物力学分析可以为预防人类下肢受伤的新方法提供生物学灵感。为猫提供先进的减震系统。因此，这种生物力学分析可以为预防人类下肢受伤的新方法提供生物学灵感。为猫提供先进的减震系统。因此，这种生物力学分析可以为预防人类下肢受伤的新方法提供生物学灵感。