Researchers Lena Ting and Young-Hui Chang of Emory and Georgia Tech Universities are studying the biomechanics of flamingos in an effort to see what makes them so good at standing on one leg all day. While reasoning behind this monopodistic silliness remains an unanswered scientific question, they hope to apply the results to better prosthetics or physical therapy…
Although no one seems to know for certain why flamingos do it, the scientists hope that by learning how, they will be able to help humans.
Lena Ting is a posture expert at the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, a joint department of the two universities. Young-Hui Chang is a locomotion expert in Tech’s school of applied physiology.
On Friday, they took their high-tech tools to Zoo Atlanta for the first time to examine how a flamingo’s body shifts as it rests on one foot.
“The flamingo’s ability to balance on one leg for long periods represents the extreme in balance control,” said Chang. “It’s a good model to study.”
The newest addition hatched Monday morning, weighing in at just over 2 ounces, as gray and soft as a dandelion ripe for wish-making. A few hours later, it stood briefly, then wobbled down to sit again. By week’s end, it will be standing on one foot for short periods.
The scientists hope to measure the progress of the hatchlings from the early stages until they join the adult flock late this fall.
Odd that the animals adorning kooky old ladies’ lawns might hold the key to better hip replacements for the very same…
More from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Photo credit: Joey Ivansco, AJC)…