eli5: What are the benefits of digitigrade vs. plantigrade feet?
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Plantigrade is good to stand in a stable way and bear weight.
Digitigrade makes running more efficient.
Plantigrades are generally more stable and able to bear more weight. That’s because the weight goes basically straight down the leg to a relatively large surface area.
Digitigrades are essentially walking on their toes. This increases the effective length of their leg, increasing the stride length and subsequently their speed. It’s also somewhat more mechanically efficient given the arrangement of their tendons and ligaments, as they effectively act like springs.
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