title: Contributions to variance in force-plate analysis of gait in dogs.
abstract: Coefficients of variation were calculated for peak vertical force and for vertical, cranial, and caudal impulses recorded from the left forelimb and left hind limb of 5 dogs that were trotted across a force plate 5 times by 5 handlers. To determine the percentages of variance attributable to dogs, handlers, and trial repetitions, data recorded for each force measurement were analyzed according to a two-factor ANOVA. Coefficients of variation for peak vertical forces and for vertical impulses varied between 5.8 and 8.5%. Coefficients of variation for the forelimb cranial and caudal impulses and for the hind limb cranial and caudal impulses were 26.4 and 30.5%, and 63.0 and 25.9%, respectively. The percentage of the total variance attributable to dogs and to trial repetitions ranged from 14 to 69% and from 29 to 85%, respectively, depending on the force or impulse evaluated. The percentage of variance attributable to handlers varied between 0 and 7%. The trivial amount of variation attributable to handlers indicated that multiple handlers may be used in experiments without an appreciable influence on the results.
authors: College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824.
authors: D J
authors: DJ
authors: Jevens
authors: J G
authors: JG
authors: Hauptman
authors: C E
authors: CE
authors: DeCamp
authors: S C
authors: SC
authors: Budsberg
authors: R W
authors: RW
authors: Soutas-Little
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D015982:Bias; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology*; D005552:Forelimb; D005684:Gait; D006234:Handling, Psychological; D006257:Head; D006801:Humans; D013623:Tail