title: Variability of vertical ground reaction forces collected with one and two force plates in healthy dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI) data collected with one and two force plates during the same collection time period in healthy dogs at a trot.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventeen healthy client-owned adult dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Vertical ground reaction force (GRF) data were collected in a crossover study design, with four sessions on two consecutive days, and then two weeks apart (days 1, 2, 15, and 16) using both one and two force plates collection methods. A repeated measures model analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test for differences in force plate PVF, VI, and average time per trial (ATT) between days, weeks, and systems (1 plate versus 2 plates). Coefficients of variation for PVF and VI were also calculated separately by forelimbs and hindlimbs, plates, day, and week.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The time required to obtain a valid trial was significantly longer using a single force plate when compared with two force plates. Comparing GRF data for all dogs, significant differences in PVF data were found between one and two force plates, however, these differences were diminutive in absolute magnitude, and of unknown clinical importance. Examination of the coefficients of variation for PVF and VI during the different collection periods yielded similar results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of two force plates decreased trial repetition and collection time. Vertical GRF data had a similar coefficient of variation with either one or two force plates collection techniques in healthy dogs.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stejskal
authors.forename: B T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Sandberg
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sapora
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Dover
authors.affiliation: Dr. S. C. Budsberg, University of Georgia, Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States, Phone: +1 706 542 6314, Fax: +1 706 542 6460, E-mail: budsberg@uga.edu.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Budsberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology*; D005552:Forelimb / Q000502:physiology; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000502:physiology; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena
keywords: Kinetic; canine; ground reaction forces