Kinematic analysis of forelimb and hind limb joints in clinically healthy sheep

Abstract

BackgroundVariations associated with sex, age, velocity, breed and body geometry should be considered in the determination of kinematic parameters for a gait considered normal.Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate kinematic patterns of forelimbs and hind limbs in clinically normal sheep from two different age groups walking at a constant velocity. The hypothesis was that the age may influence sagittal plane kinematic patterns. Fourteen clinically healthy female sheep were divided into Group 1 – seven animals aged from 8 to 12 months, and Group 2 - seven animals aged above 5 years. Before starting data collection, the sheep were trained to be conducted for walking in a pre-determined space at constant velocity. A minimum of 5 valid trials were obtained from the right and left sides of each sheep. Data were analyzed by use of a motion-analysis program. Flexion and extension joint angles (maximum, minimum, displacement), and angular velocity (maximum, minimum) were determined for the shoulder, elbow, carpal, hip, stifle, and tarsal joints.ResultsWithin each group, no significant differences were observed between the right and left limbs in all kinematic variables. Significant differences were observed in the following kinematic parameters between G1 and G2: minimum angle (G1 < G2), angular displacement (G1 > G2), maximum angular velocity (G1 > G2), minimum angular velocity (G1 > G2) of the carpus; angular displacement (G1 > G2), minimum angular velocity (G1 > G2) of the shoulder; minimum angle (G1 > G2), angular displacement (G1 < G2) of the tarsus; maximum angular velocity (G1 < G2) of the stifle; maximum angular velocity G1 > G2 of the hip. The lengths of both forelimbs and hind limbs differed between groups (G1 < G2). The Froude number differed between groups for forelimbs and hind limbs.ConclusionsIn conclusion, sheep of two different ages walking at a constant velocity present, within the same group, similar kinematic data between sides, and exhibit some differences in kinematic variables that may be age-related or body size. Further studies using sheep walking at similar Froude numbers are necessary to exclude the body size.

Bio-inspired Topological Skeleton for the Analysis of Quadruped Kinematic Gait

“…However, the kinematic model can enable us to give a first estimate of these parameters (Fig 14 and Fig 15). The travel of this angle θ1 is about 60° which is consistent with the results given in [30,36] . The travel of the displacement inferior to 85 mm also seems physically acceptable.…”

“…The knee angle θ4 and the position of a central point G1 are given respectively in Fig 12 and Fig 13. The maximum deviation between the measure and the model for the knee angle is less than 5°. This amplitude and the form of the curve are consistent with the experimental results presented in [30,36] . The displacement in the direction of the x axis is a linear function of time which is explained by the constant speed of the sheep during the experimentation.…”

“…The periodic signals of the angular inputs have been built by using the cycle period (the sum of a stance phase duration and a swing phase duration) which has been determined on the positional curves. It is notable that the order of magnitude of the amplitude of the wrist (ϕi(t) with i=1..2) and ankle (ϕi(t) with i=3..4) angles in Fig 11 is close to the values given in [30,36] .…”

The use of sheep as a model for studying peripheral nerve regeneration following nerve injury: review of the literature

“…When compared to rat and mice experimental studies, there are fewer investigations on this subject in sheep [ 22,23]. Other specialities, such as anaes-thesiology, cardiology, and orthopaedics, have also used sheep model to perform experimental designs [36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45].…”

A Comparative Study of Range of Motion of Forelimb and Hind Limb in Walk Pattern and Trot Pattern of Chihuahua Dogs Affected and Non-Affected with Patellar Luxation

“…For this we use kinematic analysis, by using a 2-D video system to evaluate. This kinematic analysis of gait is much more accurate and efficient than human observation (Faria et al, 2014;Gilette and Angle, 2008;Hyytiainen et al, 2013).…”