title: The magnitude of muscular activation of four canine forelimb muscles in dogs performing two agility-specific tasks.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to measure the muscular activation in four forelimb muscles while dogs performed agility tasks (i.e., jumping and A-frame) and to provide insight into potential relationships between level of muscular activation and risk of injury. Muscle activation in eight healthy, client-owned agility dogs was measured using ultrasound-guided fine-wire electromyography of four specific forelimb muscles: Biceps Brachii, Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, and Triceps Brachii - Long Head, while dogs performed a two jump sequence and while dogs ascended and descended an A-frame obstacle at two different competition heights.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The peak muscle activations during these agility tasks were between 1.7 and 10.6 fold greater than walking. Jumping required higher levels of muscle activation compared to ascending and descending an A-frame, for all muscles of interest. There was no significant difference in muscle activation between the two A-frame heights.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared to walking, all of the muscles were activated at high levels during the agility tasks and our findings indicate that jumping is an especially demanding activity for dogs in agility. This information is broadly relevant to understanding the pathophysiology of forelimb injuries related to canine athletic activity.
authors.affiliation: Biophysics Interdepartmental Group, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada. kcullen@iwh.on.ca.|Institute for Work and Health, 481 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5G 2E9, Canada. kcullen@iwh.on.ca.
authors.forename: Kimberley L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Cullen
authors.affiliation: Biophysics Interdepartmental Group, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.|School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5B9, Canada.
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Dickey
authors.affiliation: Biophysics Interdepartmental Group, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.|Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, College of Biological Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
authors.forename: Stephen H M
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2 W1, Canada.
authors.forename: Stephanie G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Nykamp
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, College of Biological Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
authors.forename: Leah R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Bent
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
authors.forename: Jeffrey J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Thomason
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2 W1, Canada.
authors.forename: Noël M M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Moens
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005552:Forelimb / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Agility; Dog; Electromyography; Forelimb muscles