title: Comparison of overground and treadmill-based gaits of dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare overground and treadmill-based gaits of dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  5 clinically normal adult mixed-breed dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  To obtain dynamic gait data, 30 retroreflective markers were affixed bilaterally to specific regions of the hind limbs and pelvis of each dog. For each dog, 3-D joint motion data (sagittal [flexion and extension], transverse [internal and external rotation], and frontal [abduction and adduction] planes of motion) for the hip, femorotibial, and tarsal joints were acquired during walking and trotting through a calibrated testing space overground or on a treadmill. Comparison of data was performed via generalized indicator function analysis and Fourier analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both overground and treadmill-based gaits produced similar waveforms in all planes of motion. Fourier analysis revealed no difference between overground and treadmill-based gaits in the sagittal plane of motion; however, small differences were detected between overground and treadmill-based gaits in the other 2 planes of motion. Additionally, femorotibial joint motion during walking did not differ among planes of motion. Generalized indicator function analysis was able to detect differences between overground and treadmill-based gait waveforms in all planes of motion for all joints during walking and trotting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In dogs, overground and treadmill-based gaits produced similar waveform shapes. Of the 3 planes of motion evaluated, only sagittal plane kinematic gait data were unaffected by mode of ambulation as determined via Fourier analysis. Sagittal kinematic gait data collected from dogs during overground or treadmill-based ambulation were comparable. However, analysis methods may affect data comparisons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
authors.forename: Bryan T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: Noel M M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Moëns
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Nadaf
authors.forename: Lisa R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: Yang-Chieh
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Steven C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Budsberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004285:Dogs; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000662:veterinary*; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology