Ground Reaction Forces and Center of Pressure within the Paws When Stepping over Obstacles in Dogs

Abstract

Walking over obstacles is a widely used physiotherapy exercise in dogs. Current research is limited to the effect of this exercise in kinematics and muscle activation in dogs. The present study assessed the influence of walking over obstacles on the ground reaction forces (GRFs) and center of pressure (COP) in dogs. Data of dogs walking over one and two obstacles over a pressure platform were retrospectively analyzed and compared to normal walking. Walking over one obstacle did not affect the GRFs and COP of the forelimbs; however, significant changes were observed for the hindlimbs, especially the leading hindlimb. Walking over two obstacles caused significant changes to only one value at the forelimbs, whereas multiple significant changes in the GRFs and COP values were observed at the hindlimbs. Walking over obstacles seems to be challenging even for healthy adult dogs. Further studies are needed to investigate how different heights of obstacles and distances between them can further challenge the animals. The combination of kinetics and kinematics during walking over obstacles may be used in future as a diagnostic tool in geriatric and neurological patients in order to assess their proprioception awareness or to assess the improvement after an intervention, e.g., physiotherapy treatment.

Vertical ground reaction forces, paw pressure distribution, and center of pressure during heelwork in working dogs competing in obedience

“…A 203-× 54.2-cm pressure measurement plate [FDM Type 2 from Zebris Medical GmbH, Allgäu, Germany (27,31,(50)(51)(52)(53)(54)(55)] was used, which measures the pressure of the dog's paws through 15,360 piezoelectric sensors and a sampling rate of 100 Hz. The plate was covered with a black, 1-mm-thick rubber mat composed of polyvinyl chloride to avoid slipping.…”

External mechanical perturbations challenge postural stability in dogs

“…Therefore, the ability to restore balance is directly influenced by the position of the COP prior to perturbation (35). The COP can be measured easily using force and pressure measurement plates (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20).…”

“…Previous evaluations in veterinary medicine were performed during static posturography, that is, during quiet standing with ( 11–16 , 22 , 24 , 31 ) and without challenging PS ( 23 ), and during gait analysis in normal locomotion ( 10 , 20 , 21 ) and different tasks ( 17 , 18 ). Moreover, the COP of the body ( 11 , 14–16 , 22 , 23 , 31 ) and that within the paws ( 10 , 12 , 13 , 17–20 ) can be measured.…”

“…Previous evaluations in veterinary medicine were performed during static posturography, that is, during quiet standing with ( 11–16 , 22 , 24 , 31 ) and without challenging PS ( 23 ), and during gait analysis in normal locomotion ( 10 , 20 , 21 ) and different tasks ( 17 , 18 ). Moreover, the COP of the body ( 11 , 14–16 , 22 , 23 , 31 ) and that within the paws ( 10 , 12 , 13 , 17–20 ) can be measured. Some measurements are conducted with the animal standing on a plate with all feet to calculate the body COP ( 11 , 16 , 22 , 23 , 31 ), whereas others evaluate it only between the forelimbs ( 11 , 14 , 15 , 31 ) or hindlimbs ( 11 , 31 ).…”

“…Dynamic tests, such as walking Figure 8’s and stepping over Cavaletti rail obstacles, have been proposed to test dynamic balance and spatial awareness with low variability among patients and practitioners ( 60 ). The latter led to significant differences in the COP parameters compared with normal walking ( 17 ). However, static posturography during external perturbations has not been addressed in the literature.…”