scholarly journals The influence of three working harnesses on thoracic limb kinematics and stride length at walk in assistance dogs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly Platten ◽  
Jane Williams
Keyword(s):  
Stride Length ◽  
Assistance Dogs ◽  
Thoracic Limb ◽  
Limb Kinematics

Effectiveness and Reliability of Foot Orthoses on Impact Loading and Lower Limb Kinematics When Running at Preferred and Nonpreferred Speeds

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Yi Wang ◽  
Wing K. Lam ◽  
Charis K. Wong ◽  
Lok Y. Park ◽  
Mohammad F. Tan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Impact Loading ◽  
Coefficient Of Variation ◽  
Stride Length ◽  
Knee Kinematics ◽  
Foot Orthoses ◽  
Loading Rates ◽  
Reaction Forces ◽  
Limb Kinematics ◽  
Repeated Analysis ◽  
Arch Support

This study examined the effect of foot orthoses used on ground reaction forces, ankle, and knee kinematics when running at preferred and nonpreferred speeds. Sixteen runners ran on instrumented treadmills at various speeds (90%, 100%, and 110% of preferred speed) when wearing arch-support and flat-control orthoses. Two-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed on the mean and coefficient of variation of all variables. Results indicated that arch-support orthoses experienced larger maximum loading rates than flat-control orthoses (P = .017, 95% CI, 2.22 to 19.53). Slower speed was related to smaller loading rates (preferred: P = .002, 95% CI, −17.02 to −4.20; faster: P = .003, 95% CI, −29.78 to −6.17), shorter stride length (preferred: P < .001, 95% CI, −0.204 to −0.090; faster: P < .001, 95% CI, −0.382 to −0.237), and longer contact time (preferred: P < .001, 95% CI, 0.006–0.021; faster: 95% CI, 0.012–0.042). In arch-support condition, preferred speed induced higher stride length coefficient of variation (P = .046, 95% CI, 0.035–1.117) than faster speed, while displaying no differences in flat-control condition. These findings suggest that the use of arch-support orthoses would influence impact loading, but not spatial-temporal and joint kinematics in recreational runners.

scholarly journals Turtling the salamander: tail movements mitigate need for kinematic limb changes during walking in tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) with restricted lateral movement

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine M Vega ◽  
Miriam A Ashley-Ross
Keyword(s):  
Stride Length ◽  
The Body ◽  
Ambystoma Tigrinum ◽  
Lateral Movement ◽  
Tiger Salamanders ◽  
Body Regions ◽  
Lateral Undulation ◽  
Limb Kinematics ◽  
Sprawling Posture ◽  
Trunk Flexibility

Abstract Lateral undulation and trunk flexibility offer performance benefits to maneuverability, stability, and stride length (via speed and distance traveled). These benefits make them key characteristics of the locomotion of tetrapods with sprawling posture, with the exception of turtles. Despite their bony carapace preventing lateral undulations, turtles are able to improve their locomotor performance by increasing stride length via greater limb protraction. The goal of this study was to quantify the effect of reduced lateral flexibility in a generalized sprawling tetrapod, the tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum). We had two potential predictions: (1) either salamanders completely compensate by changing their limb kinematics, or (2) their performance (i.e., speed) will suffer due to the reduced lateral flexibility. This reduction was performed by artificially limiting trunk flexibility by attaching a 2-piece shell around the body between the pectoral and pelvic girdles. Adult tiger salamanders (n = 3, SVL = 9 cm-14.5 cm) walked on a 1 m trackway under three different conditions: unrestricted, flexible shell (Tygon tubing), and rigid shell (PVC tubing). Trials were filmed in a single, dorsal view, and kinematics of entire midline and specific body regions (head, trunk, tail), as well as the fore and hindlimbs, were calculated. Tygon individuals had significantly higher curvature than both PVC and unrestricted individuals for the body, but this trend was primarily driven by changes in tail movements. PVC individuals had significantly lower curvature in the trunk region compared to unrestricted individuals or Tygon; however, there was no difference between unrestricted and Tygon individuals suggesting the shells performed as expected. PVC and Tygon individuals had significantly higher curvature in the tails compared to unrestricted individuals. There were no significant differences for any limb kinematic variables among treatments including average, minimum, maximum angles. Thus, salamanders respond to decreased lateral movement in their trunk by increasing movements in their tail, without changes in limb kinematics. These results suggest that tail undulations may be a more critical component to sprawling-postured tetrapod locomotion than previously recognized.

Cervical pain and paresis of left thoracic limb in a chondrodystrophic dog.

2009 ◽  
Vol 22 (04) ◽  
pp. 294-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beata Degórska ◽  
Jacek Sterna ◽  
Rafal Sapierzynski ◽  
Mariusz Siedlicki
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Pain ◽  
Thoracic Limb

Influence of Ageing and Regional Differences on Draught Performance of Umblachery Cattle

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (02) ◽  
pp. 42-45
Author(s):  
Devi M Kousalya ◽  
S.M K Karthickeyan ◽  
R Venkataramanan ◽  
S N Sivaselvam ◽  
K G Tirumurugaan
Keyword(s):  
Pulse Rate ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Regional Differences ◽  
Stride Length ◽  
South India ◽  
Middle Age ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Morphometric Traits ◽  
Maximum Power Output ◽  
Effects Of Aging

An attempt was made to assess the effects of aging, regional differences, and draught load applied on draught potential of Umblachery cattle, an important draught breed of South India. Age had a highly significant effect (p less than 0.01) on all morphometric traits, stride length, and significant effect (p less than 0.05) on pulse rate after work. The middle age group (5.0 to 7.5 years) with more substantial stride length was identified as the critical productive age group for draught ability. Regional differences had a highly significant (p less than 0.01) influence on stride length, horsepower, and a significant effect (p less than 0.05) on pulse rate after work. The optimum draught load with which Umblachery breed could give uniform and maximum power output was found to be around 75 to 78 kg.

Digital Biomarkers of Cognitive Frailty: The Value of Detailed Gait Assessment Beyond Gait Speed

Gerontology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
He Zhou ◽  
Catherine Park ◽  
Mohammad Shahbazi ◽  
Michele K. York ◽  
Mark E. Kunik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Stride Length ◽  
Cognitive Frailty ◽  
Single Task ◽  
Double Support ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Digital Biomarkers

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Cognitive frailty (CF), defined as the simultaneous presence of cognitive impairment and physical frailty, is a clinical symptom in early-stage dementia with promise in assessing the risk of dementia. The purpose of this study was to use wearables to determine the most sensitive digital gait biomarkers to identify CF. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Of 121 older adults (age = 78.9 ± 8.2 years, body mass index = 26.6 ± 5.5 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) who were evaluated with a comprehensive neurological exam and the Fried frailty criteria, 41 participants (34%) were identified with CF and 80 participants (66%) were identified without CF. Gait performance of participants was assessed under single task (walking without cognitive distraction) and dual task (walking while counting backward from a random number) using a validated wearable platform. Participants walked at habitual speed over a distance of 10 m. A validated algorithm was used to determine steady-state walking. Gait parameters of interest include steady-state gait speed, stride length, gait cycle time, double support, and gait unsteadiness. In addition, speed and stride length were normalized by height. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Our results suggest that compared to the group without CF, the CF group had deteriorated gait performances in both single-task and dual-task walking (Cohen’s effect size <i>d</i> = 0.42–0.97, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.050). The largest effect size was observed in normalized dual-task gait speed (<i>d</i> = 0.97, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). The use of dual-task gait speed improved the area under the curve (AUC) to distinguish CF cases to 0.76 from 0.73 observed for the single-task gait speed. Adding both single-task and dual-task gait speeds did not noticeably change AUC. However, when additional gait parameters such as gait unsteadiness, stride length, and double support were included in the model, AUC was improved to 0.87. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> This study suggests that gait performances measured by wearable sensors are potential digital biomarkers of CF among older adults. Dual-task gait and other detailed gait metrics provide value for identifying CF above gait speed alone. Future studies need to examine the potential benefits of gait performances for early diagnosis of CF and/or tracking its severity over time.

scholarly journals PARE0002 IMPACT OF SERVICE DOGS ON THE BURDEN OF ARTHRITIS

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1287.1-1287
Author(s):  
P. Wegscheider
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Service Dogs ◽  
Mobility Impairments ◽  
Assistance Dogs ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Team Assessment ◽  
Personal Assistants ◽  
Austrian Population ◽  
Short Time

Background:Assistance dogs support humans with different physical disabilities: 1. Service dogs for people with diverse mobility impairments 2. signaling dogs for humans diagnosed with diabetes, hearing impairments, seizure, or posttraumatic stress disorder 3. guide dogs for people with visual impairments. Definitions and terms are not consistent over Europe; Austrian terminology is used in the following. These specially trained dogs support people in their everyday lives and make it possible that less help is required from personal assistants or caregivers. Diverse studies show this positive impact of assistance dogs on the quality of life of disabled people. There are just a few case reports from United States about service dogs for people diagnosed with any inflammatory rheumatic disorder. Dogs are trained individually for about 1.5 years before team training and the concluding team assessment through Austrian authorities take place. Since 2015, there has been an adapted legislation for service dogs in Austria which brings significant improvements in many areas. In comparison to the model set by Austria, there is no corresponding legal basis at EU level or in other European countries.Objectives:Case-report about my own situation diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in 2001 and my service dog May. May supports my every day live in private and business affairs since 2019Methods:May was trained for less than two years before team assessment. May is able to pick up things I dropped. These include coins, my key, my mobile phone, clothes, towels and lots of other things I want her to pick it up for me. May opens and closes doors, empties the washing machine, pulls the laundry basket and even helps me put on and take off clothes. In general, she carries many things which I instruct her to carry. I am able to learn her more new things in a short time. Furthermore May acts safe on public transport and even airplanes. Due to special training May is allowed to move without dog leash or muzzle. A muzzle or leash would handicap the dog’s work. As a result of May’s help I need less personal assistance.Results:May’s physical and psychological support gives me greater independence and increases my self-confidence. She was trained to specifically meet the needs of my disability. Beside her skills, May helps to reduce pain and burden of arthritis.Conclusion:My aim is to spotlight the great support of service dogs to severely affected arthritis patients. Austria had realized legislation for assistance dogs to guarantee certain permissions the owner’s needs (e.g. access to working place, hospital). I would love to raise awareness about assistance dogs to improve the knowledge about those animals to implement European legislation.References:[1]Arbeitskreis für Hygiene in Gesundheitseinrichtungen des Magistrats der Stadt Wien, MA 15, Richtlinie für den Umgang mit Assistenzhunden und Therapiehunden in Gesundheitseinrichtungen, 29.3.2017; access 1.10.2019[2]AK Krankenhaushygiene OÖ, Umgang mit Assistenzhunden in Gesundheitseinrichtungen, Version 1; access 1.2019[3]Bremhorst, A et al, Spotlight on Assistance Dogs- Legislation, Welfare and Research, Animals 2018, 8, 129; doi:10.3390/ani8080129[4]Deutsche Gesellschaft für Krankenhaushygiene (DGKH), Empfehlungen zum hygienegerechten Umgang mit Therapiehunden in Krankenhäusern und vergleichbaren Einrichtungen, Hyg Med 2017; 42-10[5]Glenk, LM et al, Perceptions on Helath Benefits of Guide Dog Ownership in an Austrian Population of Blind People with and without a Guide Dog, Animals 2019, 9, 428; doi:10.3390/ani9070428[6]Lundqvist, M et al, Certified service dogs- A cost- effectiveness analysis appraisal, Plos ones 12.9.2019, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0219911[7]Sozialministeriumservice, Richtlinie Therapiehunde des Bundesministers für Arbeit, Soziales und Konsumentenschutz, 01.01.2015; access 1.10.2019Acknowledgments:I am very grateful to Kati Kohoutek, May’s trainer and the efforts of Austrian’s long lasting dog trainers and Karl Weissenbacher, the leader of Messerli Institute/ department of Veterinary University Vienna.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

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