Kinetic Gait Analysis of Healthy Dogs on Two Different Surfaces

To determine the effects of 2 different, commonly used surfaces with different coefficients of friction on ground reaction forces in normal dogs. Prospective, observational, single cross-over study. Dogs (n=10) with no gait abnormalities. Dogs were acclimated to the force plate and 5 valid trials for each dog and each limb were recorded. Velocity and acceleration were tightly controlled. Each dog was tested on both surfaces sequentially in different sequences. Data analysis was done on peak vertical force, peak impulse, breaking and propulsion peak forces and impulses. Three-way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to separately evaluate the effect of floor type on force plate measures in fore and hind limbs, while controlling for side (left versus right) and experimental replicate. P-values