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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 1997; 10(03): 160-169
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1632588
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

Multiple Force Platform Analysis of the Canine Trot: a New Approach to Assessing Basic Characteristics of Locomotion

J. E. A. Bertram
1   From the College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
,
D. V. Lee
1   From the College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
,
R. J. Todhunter
1   From the College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
,
Wendy S. Foels
2   Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
,
Alma Jo Williams
3   James A. Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
,
G. Lust
3   James A. Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received for publication 06 February 1997

Publication Date:
10 February 2018 (online)

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Summary

Multiple platforms measure forces on different limbs simultaneously and provide a convenient means of determining locomotion parameters directly from force data. Four force platforms in series were used to measure force and positional data from simultaneous foot contacts of trotting dogs. Proper evaluation of fore and hindlimb forces from a complete stride requires a minimum of four platforms. Stride period, stride length, average velocity during the stride, relative phases of footfalls and duty factors can be determined directly from the force record. Impulse, average force and change in forward velocity can be determined by integrating the summed force/time curves over one stride period. These analytical techniques are illustrated using multiple platform data. Multiple platform analysis provides a comprehensive view of canine locomotion that cannot be achieved with a single platform.

A multiple force platform system designed to analyze ground reaction forces of quadrupedal animals is described. This system provides all force and positional data required for the description of each footfall in a full trotting stride. Methods for calculating key locomotion parameters from multiple platforms are reported and their relevance to gait analysis is discussed.

Keywords

Locomotion - gait analysis - kineticals - canine
 

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