Variance associated with walking velocity during force platform gait analysis of a heterogeneous sample of clinically normal dogs

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To determine whether walking at specific ranges of absolute and relative (V*) velocity would aid efficient capture of gait trial data with low ground reaction force (GRF) variance in a heterogenous sample of dogs. ANIMALS 17 clinical normal dogs of various breeds, ages, and sexes. PROCEDURES Each dog was walked across a force platform at its preferred velocity, with controlled acceleration within 0.5 m/s2. Ranges in V* were created for height at the highest point of the shoulders (withers; WHV*). Variance effects from 8 walking absolute velocity ranges and associated WHV* ranges were examined by means of repeated-measures ANCOVA. RESULTS The individual dog effect provided the greatest contribution to variance. Narrow velocity ranges typically resulted in capture of a smaller percentage of valid trials and were not consistently associated with lower variance. The WHV* range of 0.33 to 0.46 allowed capture of valid trials efficiently, with no significant effects on peak vertical force and vertical impulse. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Dogs with severe lameness may be unable to trot or may experience a decline in mobility with gait trial repetition. Gait analysis involving evaluation of individual dogs at their preferred absolute velocity, such that dogs are evaluated at a similar V*, may facilitate efficient capture of valid trials without significant GRF effects. Use of individual velocity ranges derived from a WHV* range of 0.33 to 0.46 can account for heterogeneity and appears suitable for use in clinical trials involving dogs at a walking gait.

Femorotibial kinematics in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency: a three-dimensional in-vivo fluoroscopic analysis during walking

“…Continuous lateral view fluoroscopic images centered on the stifle joints were acquired during treadmill walking using a ceiling-mounted fluoroscopic system with a flat panel detector. 1 Dogs were walked at a velocity of 2.0–2.5 mph (0.8–1.1 m/s), similar to previous studies [ 20 ]. The speed of the treadmill was set within this range at a speed that allowed a natural walking cadence.…”

Effect of a continuous epitendinous suture as adjunct to three‐loop pulley and locking‐loop patterns for flexor tendon repair in a canine model

“…The force borne by the musculotendinous unit in the live dog during active limb use remains unknown. The ground reaction force (G) of a thoracic limb of dog at the walk can be estimated to 30% of body weight . For a 30‐kg dog, G is approximately 90 N. The increase in strength afforded to the repair by epitendinous suture placement may decrease the reliance placed on adjunctive fixation methods.…”

“…The ground reaction force (G) of a thoracic limb of dog at the walk can be estimated to 30% of body weight. 34,35 For a 30-kg dog, G is approximately 90 N. The increase in strength afforded to the repair by epitendinous suture placement may decrease the reliance placed on adjunctive fixation methods. These findings should be investigated in vivo in a prospective clinical trial, and the results should be interpreted with caution.…”

Use of Reticulated Hyaluronic Acid Alone or Associated With Ozone Gas in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis Due to Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

“…Another limitation of this study was the use of heterogeneous groups of dogs, which makes difficult the kinetic evaluation (41). In addition, the dogs were evaluated walking, because due the disease the dog may be unable to trot or have difficult to gait trial repetition (41), despite of trotting gait be considered more sensitive than walking gait to lameness detection (42). Thus, to avoid these influences future studies using dogs of the same breed and with the same hip scoring should be considered.…”