Locomotion (animal biomechanics) is the specialized area within the field of biomechanics dedicated to the quantitative analysis and understanding of how animals generate and control movement for displacement through their environment. This discipline applies principles of mechanics, physics, and engineering to investigate the forces, kinematics, kinetics, and energetic costs associated with various forms of animal movement, including terrestrial locomotion, aquatic locomotion, and aerial locomotion. It seeks to elucidate the mechanical mechanisms underlying animal performance, functional morphology, evolutionary adaptations, and ecological interactions, often employing techniques from motion analysis.