Technology applications in bovine gait analysis: A scoping review

Abstract

Quantitative bovine gait analysis using technology has evolved significantly over the last two decades. However, subjective methods of gait assessment using visual locomotion scoring remain the primary on-farm and experimental approach. The objective of this review is to map research trends in quantitative bovine gait analysis and to explore the technologies that have been utilized to measure biomechanical parameters of gait. A scoping literature review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. A search algorithm based on PICO framework generated three components–bovine, gait, and technology–to address our objectives. Three online databases were searched for original work published from January 2000 to June 2020. A two-step screening process was then conducted, starting with the review of article titles and abstracts based on inclusion criteria. A remaining 125 articles then underwent a full-text assessment, resulting in 82 final articles. Thematic analysis of research aims resulted in four major themes among the studies: gait/claw biomechanics, lameness detection, intervention/comparison, and system development. Of the 4 themes, lameness detection (55% of studies) was the most common reason for technology use. Within the literature identified three main technologies were used: force and pressure platforms (FPP), vision-based systems (VB), and accelerometers. FPP were the first and most popular technologies to evaluate bovine gait and were used in 58.5% of studies. They include force platforms, pressure mapping systems, and weight distribution platforms. The second most applied technology was VB (34.1% of studies), which predominately consists of video analysis and image processing systems. Accelerometers, another technological method to measure gait characteristics, were used in 14.6% of studies. In sum, the strong demand for automatic lameness detection influenced the path of development for quantitative gait analysis technologies. Among emergent technologies, deep learning and wearable sensors (e.g., accelerometers) appear to be the most promising options. However, although progress has been made, more research is needed to develop more accurate, practical, and user-friendly technologies.

Applications of Technology to Record Locomotion Measurements in Dairy Cows: A Systematic Review

“…In research that evaluates factors that may impact dairy cow locomotion, the three main categories of technologies used to record direct measurements of locomotion are kinematic, kinetic, and accelerometric [ 14 ]. These types of technology are generally more autonomous and provide more detailed measurements of locomotion than other types of technology that have been used for similar purposes.…”

“…Kinetics is a subdivision in the study of biomechanics that focuses on the forces associated with motion [ 16 ]. In research evaluating dairy cattle locomotion, technologies using kinetic measurements can be divided into three general categories: force platforms (FPs), pressure mapping systems (PMSs), and weight distribution platforms (WDP) [ 14 ]. Force platforms and pressure mapping systems may be used independently or in a system where the two are combined to record simultaneously.…”

“…As these technologies advance and their potential for on-farm commercial application grows, considerations regarding their ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency at detecting locomotor abnormalities early on in a management setting should be researched further. In a scoping review conducted by Nejati et al [ 14 ] looking at research trends in quantitative bovine gait analysis technologies, pressure mapping systems were deemed to be the most practical on-farm kinetic technology (including pressure mapping systems, force platforms, and weight distribution platforms) for assessing cow gait quality. This was due to their greater ease of implementation and ability to provide more diverse outcome measurements regarding gait.…”

“…This was due to their greater ease of implementation and ability to provide more diverse outcome measurements regarding gait. Computer vision, which uses deep learning technology, and accelerometers that can be attached to the cow are expected to be the next emerging areas of research in bovine quantitative gait analysis technologies [ 14 ]. It is expected that more “hands-off” approaches of automated gait assessment will continue to be researched since they are more likely to have success with on-farm commercial use.…”

“…Additionally, our review will be conducted from the perspective of analyzing gait in all aspects of locomotor ability, rather than from a lameness detection perspective. A sister scoping review by Nejati et al [ 14 ] has also been conducted with the aims of mapping the research trends of quantitative bovine gait analysis, exploring the technologies that have been used to measure the biomechanics parameters of gait variables in bovine species, and highlighting the current gaps in the field of cow gait analysis. The sister review additionally covers trends in the frequency of use that the three technologies of primary interest (kinematic, kinetic, and accelerometric) within the current study have had in research since the year 2000.…”