hoplöpande

Hoplöpande is a Swedish term used to describe a locomotion pattern that lies between hopping and running. The word is a compound of hoppa (to hop) and löpa (to run), with the participle suffix -ande. In Swedish-language literature, hoplöpande is used as an adjective or noun to characterize gaits where aerial phases occur but are interspersed with ground contact, creating a mixed gait rather than pure saltation or continuous running.

Usage and contexts

In zoology and biomechanics, hoplöpande describes species or individuals that combine leaping with running to optimize energy use, balance, or stability on varied terrain. In the study of legged robotics, hoplöpande refers to gait patterns or control strategies that switch between hopping and running to adapt to terrain, speed, and payload requirements. The term is descriptive and appears primarily in Swedish-language sources; it is less common in English-language terminology, where more specific terms like saltation, bound, or hybrid gaits are often used.

Characteristics

Quantitative descriptions of a hoplöpande gait typically involve measures such as hop frequency, hop amplitude, ground contact time, stride length, and duty factor. These metrics help distinguish hoplöpande from pure hopping, pure running, or other hybrid gaits. In practice, hoplöpande is viewed as a continuum rather than a strictly defined formal gait category.

See also

Gait, locomotion, saltation, bound, trot, legged robotics gait.