Pressure Sensitive Walkway Research Articles

Comparison of spatiotemporal gait parameter measurements across various emulated foot strike patterns between the Tekscan® Strideway™ pressure sensitive walkway and gold-standard marker-based motion capture

Spatiotemporal gait parameters are commonly used to quantify physical functioning including in populations with atypical foot strike patterns. The current gold standard measurement system for gait analysis is marker-based motion capture and floor-mounted force plates, but it can be expensive and cumbersome to set up. Pressure sensitive walkways are more affordable, quicker to set up, and more portable. Currently available walkways have not been compared to marker-based motion capture when measuring atypical foot strike patterns. The recently developed Tekscan® Strideway pressure sensitive walkway system has not been compared to any gold standard. This study compared measurements of step width, step length, and step time from the Strideway™ system against a gold standard marker-based motion capture (Vicon® Vantage™) and floor-mounted force plate (AMTI®) system. Ten typically ambulating adults, free of injury, emulated five different foot strike patterns recording two-hundred footsteps for each. Results indicate that the Strideway™ compares well to the gold standard especially under typical foot strike patterns. The errors were highest for step width and near-zero for step time. However, the user needs to be aware that errors can substantially increase with certain foot strike patterns such as when the heel does not make contact with the walkway. The results of this study will help inform users about potential limitations when using a pressure sensitive walkway like the Strideway™ for testing populations with typical and atypical strike patterns.

BIOMECHANICAL VARIABLES OF THE FOOT IN SOUND RETICULATED GIRAFFES (GIRAFFA CAMELOPARDALIS RETICULATA) IN HUMAN CARE.

Lameness is an important veterinary and welfare concern for giraffes in human care. To date, there is limited information on the objective weight-bearing characteristics of the foot in giraffes, making evidence-based decisions for foot care and lameness treatment subjective. Eleven young-adult reticulated giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata; median age, 3.5 yr [range, 13 mon-13 yr]), with no clinical lameness or visible hoof overgrowth when viewed from standing, voluntarily walked across a commercially available pressure-sensitive walkway. Footfalls were analyzed for force, pressure, surface area, and impulse from each foot. The weight-bearing claw was also determined based on pressure in both the front and hind limbs. The data obtained suggest that the main weight-bearing claw is the lateral claw in both the forelimbs and the hind limbs the majority of the time, but is inconsistent. The forelimbs also had greater values for all biomechanical variables than the hind limbs. The higher force and pressure suggest that giraffe forelimbs are subjected to greater biomechanical stress than the hind limbs. The relative maximum force from front limbs to hind limbs was 59:41. For these clinically sound giraffes, the center of force was consistently located in the interdigital space approximately equidistant from the toe and heel correlating with the center of mass of the limb. Furthermore, foot strikes occurred in a heel-first pattern. A pressure-sensitive walkway was well tolerated by all animals in the study and may be used in future research to help further elucidate factors that contribute to lameness in giraffes.

A validation study demonstrating portable motion capture cameras accurately characterize gait metrics when compared to a pressure-sensitive walkway

Digital quantification of gait can be used to measure aging- and disease-related decline in mobility. Gait performance also predicts prognosis, disease progression, and response to therapies. Most gait analysis systems require large amounts of space, resources, and expertise to implement and are not widely accessible. Thus, there is a need for a portable system that accurately characterizes gait. Here, depth video from two portable cameras accurately reconstructed gait metrics comparable to those reported by a pressure-sensitive walkway. 392 research participants walked across a four-meter pressure-sensitive walkway while depth video was recorded. Gait speed, cadence, and step and stride durations and lengths strongly correlated (r > 0.9) between modalities, with root-mean-squared-errors (RMSE) of 0.04 m/s, 2.3 steps/min, 0.03 s, and 0.05–0.08 m for speed, cadence, step/stride duration, and step/stride length, respectively. Step, stance, and double support durations (gait cycle percentage) significantly correlated (r > 0.6) between modalities, with 5% RMSE for step and stance and 10% RMSE for double support. In an exploratory analysis, gait speed from both modalities significantly related to healthy, mild, moderate, or severe categorizations of Charleson Comorbidity Indices (ANOVA, Tukey’s HSD, p < 0.0125). These findings demonstrate the viability of using depth video to expand access to quantitative gait assessments.

The impact of cavaletti height on dogs' walking speed and its implications for ground reaction forces.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of cavaletti pole height on temporospatial (TPS) and ground reaction force (GRF) variables as compared to a walking gait in healthy dogs. A total of 25 client-owned dogs were included in this study. This study used client-owned dogs to explore the effects of cavaletti pole height on TPS and GRF variables. Dogs were first walked over a validated pressure-sensitive walkway (PSW) and then walked over the PSW over which six cavaletti poles were set. Cavaletti pole height was initially set at 2 inches and then increased incrementally to 4 inches, 6 inches, and 8 inches. TPS and GRF variables were obtained for all dogs walking across a PSW without cavaletti poles and at each cavaletti height. TPS variables were then compared to those obtained at a normal walking gait. Increasing cavaletti height resulted in significant decreases in walking gait velocity and the number of gait cycles per minute. Conversely, significant increases in gait cycle duration (duration of one complete cycle of gait, which includes the time from the initial contact of one paw to the subsequent contact of the same paw) and gait time (duration to walk the total distance on the PSW) were noted. Increases in stance time, normalized maximum force, and normalized vertical impulse were observed. Cavaletti height does influence TPS variables in healthy dogs at a walking gait. The effects were most notable with regard to velocity. Due to the lack of consistent velocity for all cavaletti heights, no conclusions can be drawn regarding the effect of cavaletti height on ground reaction forces. Further investigation is needed to elucidate whether it is the velocity, cavaletti height, or combination of both that impacts ground reaction force variables. When selecting cavaletti pole heights for a therapeutic exercise program, an increase in cavaletti height results in a slower walking gait.

Unobtrusive measurement of gait parameters using seismographs: An observational study

Analyzing irregularities in walking patterns helps detect human locomotion abnormalities that can signal health changes. Traditional observation-based assessments have limitations due to subjective biases and capture only a single time point. Ambient and wearable sensor technologies allow continuous and objective locomotion monitoring but face challenges due to the need for specialized expertise and user compliance. This work proposes a seismograph-based algorithm for quantifying human gait, incorporating a step extraction algorithm derived from mathematical morphologies, with the goal of achieving the accuracy of clinical reference systems. To evaluate our method, we compared the gait parameters of 50 healthy participants, as recorded by seismographs, and those obtained from reference systems (a pressure-sensitive walkway and a camera system). Participants performed four walking tests, including traversing a walkway and completing the timed up-and-go (TUG) test. In our findings, we observed linear relationships with strong positive correlations (R2 > 0.9) and tight 95% confidence intervals for all gait parameters (step time, cycle time, ambulation time, and cadence). We demonstrated that clinical gait parameters and TUG mobility test timings can be accurately derived from seismographic signals, with our method exhibiting no significant differences from established clinical reference systems.

Gait Analysis of Amputee Dogs Using a Pressure-Sensitive Walkway.

The aim of this study was to perform gait analysis using a pressure-sensitive walkway in dogs submitted to high (total) or low amputation (partial) of one forelimb or hindlimb. A total of 39 dogs met the inclusion criteria. The reasons for the amputations were motor vehicle accidents in 38 dogs and possible limb malformation in 1 dog. The amputee dogs were divided into four groups: G1 (n = 10)-high forelimb; G2 (n = 10)-low forelimb; G3 (n = 9)-high hindlimb; and G4 (n = 10)-low hindlimb. For kinetic evaluation, the dogs were walked across a pressure-sensitive walkway. In dogs with forelimb amputation, the percentage of body weight (%BW) distribution on the contralateral forelimb was 50.7% in cases of high amputation and 55.5% in cases of low amputation, while the %BW distribution on the hindlimbs, mainly in the ipsilateral hindlimb, was 27.9% in cases of high amputation and 27.1% in cases of low amputation. In cases of high amputation of the hindlimb, the %BW distribution was 71.5% on the forelimbs and 29.7% on the contralateral hindlimb, while in cases of low amputation, the distribution was mainly for the contralateral hindlimb and ipsilateral forelimb. No statistical difference was noted between the amputation levels, except for the contralateral limb in cases of low and high amputation of the hindlimbs concerning the overload percentage and %BW distribution. The amputation level of one forelimb did not influence the %BW distribution; however, in the hindlimb, this was higher for the contralateral limb in dogs submitted to high amputation.

A Transferable Lidar-Based Method to Conduct Contactless Assessments of Gait Parameters in Diverse Home-like Environments.

Gait abnormalities in older adults are linked to increased risks of falls, institutionalization, and mortality, necessitating accurate and frequent gait assessments beyond traditional clinical settings. Current methods, such as pressure-sensitive walkways, often lack the continuous natural environment monitoring needed to understand an individual's gait fully during their daily activities. To address this gap, we present a Lidar-based method capable of unobtrusively and continuously tracking human leg movements in diverse home-like environments, aiming to match the accuracy of a clinical reference measurement system. We developed a calibration-free step extraction algorithm based on mathematical morphology to realize Lidar-based gait analysis. Clinical gait parameters of 45 healthy individuals were measured using Lidar and reference systems (a pressure-sensitive walkway and a video recording system). Each participant participated in three predefined ambulation experiments by walking over the walkway. We observed linear relationships with strong positive correlations (R2>0.9) between the values of the gait parameters (step and stride length, step and stride time, cadence, and velocity) measured with the Lidar sensors and the pressure-sensitive walkway reference system. Moreover, the lower and upper 95% confidence intervals of all gait parameters were tight. The proposed algorithm can accurately derive gait parameters from Lidar data captured in home-like environments, with a performance not significantly less accurate than clinical reference systems.

Alprazolam Reduces Freezing of Gait (FOG) and Improves FOG-Related Gait Deficiencies.

Freezing of gait (FOG) is an intractable motor symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD) that increases fall risk and impairs the quality of life. FOG has been associated with anxiety, with experimental support for the notion that anxiety itself provokes FOG. We investigated the effect of acute anxiety reduction via alprazolam on FOG in PD. In ten patients with PD, FOG, and normal cognition, we administered 0.25 mg alprazolam in one session and placebo in another, in counterbalanced order. At each session, on separate days, patients walked on a pressure-sensitive walkway. Using Oculus Rift virtual-reality goggles, patients walked along a plank that appeared to be (a) level with the floor, in the low-anxiety condition or (b) raised high above the ground, in the high-anxiety conditions. In this way, we assessed the impacts of anxiety and alprazolam (i.e., anxiety reduction) on FOG frequency and other gait parameters. FOG events appeared only in the high-anxiety conditions. Alprazolam significantly reduced subjective and objective measures of anxiety, as well as the prevalence of FOG (p = 0.05). Furthermore, alprazolam improved swing time (p < 0.05) and gait variability in all conditions, particularly during the elevated plank trials. Interpretation. Our results suggest that (1) anxiety induces FOG, and (2) alprazolam concomitantly reduces anxiety and FOG. Alprazolam further improved gait stability (i.e., swing time and gait variability). These findings reveal that anxiety triggers FOG in PD. Treating anxiety can reduce FOG and improve gait stability, potentially offering new therapeutic avenues for this intractable and disabling symptom in PD.

Ab. No. 62 Spatiotemporal Parameters of Gait Symmetry and Asymmetry in Normal Healthy Individuals

Introduction: Human gait, or the way people walk, is a complicated motor activity involving coordinated movements of different parts of the body. It is crucial in everyday activities and is influenced by a variety of factors such as age, health status, and musculoskeletal and neurological disorders. Understanding the many characteristics of gait, especially symmetry and asymmetry, is critical for getting insights into normal locomotion patterns and recognizing potential deviations associated with certain conditions. The objective of the current study is to determine the of spatiotemporal parameters of gait symmetry and asymmetry in individuals aged 20 to 79. Methods: A Cross-sectional observational study was done on 72 healthy adults (20 to 79 years) using convenience sampling. Subjects were divided into six groups according to the decade having 12 subjects in each group. Gait analysis was done using a portable single layer pressure sensitive walkway (Gait Rite). Subjects were asked to walk three times on the walkway at their preferred speed and data was collected. Result: A total of 9 spatiotemporal parameters were studied for evaluating asymmetry of these 7 spatiotemporal parameters were consistently asymmetry across the age groups and two parameters were consistently symmetrical across the age groups. Conclusion: The study establishes spatiotemporal parameters of gait symmetry and asymmetry across the age groups in normal ambulatory individuals. Implications: The identification of consistent asymmetry and symmetry in spatiotemporal gait parameters across age groups provides valuable insights for understanding the nuances of normal locomotion, aiding in the characterization of age-related variations, and serving as a foundation for detecting potential deviations associated with various conditions.

The validity of smartphone-based spatiotemporal gait measurements during walking with and without head turns: Comparison with the GAITRite® system

Smartphone accelerometry has potential to provide clinicians with specialized gait analysis not available in most clinical settings. The Gait&Balance Application (G&B App) uses smartphone accelerometry to assess spatiotemporal gait parameters under two conditions: walking looking straight ahead and walking with horizontal head turns. This study investigated the validity of G&B App gait parameters compared with the GAITRite® pressure-sensitive walkway. Healthy young and older adults (age range 21–85 years) attended a single session where a smartphone was secured over the lumbosacral junction. Data were collected concurrently with the app and GAITRite® systems as participants completed the two walking conditions. Spatiotemporal gait parameters for 54 participants were determined from both systems and agreement evaluated with partial Pearson’s correlation coefficients and limits of agreement. The results demonstrated moderate to excellent validity for G&B App measures of step time (rp 0.97, 95 % CI [0.96, 0.98]), walking speed (rp 0.83 [0.78, 0.87]), and step length (rp 0.74, [0.66, 0.80]) when walking looking straight ahead, and results were comparable with head turns. The validity of walking speed and step length measures was influenced by sex and height. G&B App measures of step length variability, step time variability, step length asymmetry, and step time asymmetry had poor validity. The G&B App has potential to provide valid measures of unilateral and bilateral step time, unilateral and bilateral step length, and walking speed, under two walking conditions in healthy young and older adults. Further research should validate this tool in clinical conditions and optimise the algorithm for demographic characteristics.

Pressure-Sensitive Walkway System for Evaluation of Lameness in Dogs Affected by Unilateral Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture Treated with Porous Tibial Tuberosity Advancement.

The aim of this study was to objectively evaluate lameness in dogs affected by a unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CrCLR) treated with porous tibial tuberosity advancement before surgery and at three different timepoints after surgery, using the GAITRite® system (version 4.9Wr), a pressure-sensitive walkway system that is able to calculate several spatiotemporal gait parameters simultaneously for each limb. The dogs walked on the pressure-sensitive walkway before (T0) and 30 (T1), 90 (T2), and 120 (T3) days after surgery. Pressure measurements (gait lameness score and total pressure index %) were collected for S (treated with porous TTA) and C (healthy contralateral limb) at T0, T1, T2, and T3 and statistically evaluated. An ANOVA test was performed to compare the data, and a value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. Twenty dogs (n = 20) of various common breeds and ages with CrCLR were enrolled in the study. The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the GAIT4Dog® lameness score (GLS) and TPI% between S and C for each timepoint. Statistically significant differences in the GLS and TPI% between S at T0 and S at T2 and between S at T0 and S at T3 (p < 0.001) were found. The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the GAIT4Dog® lameness score (GLS) and TPI% between S and C for each timepoint. Statistically significant differences in the GLS and TPI% between S at T0 and S at T2 and between S at T0 and S at T3 were found. The GLS and TPI% increased statistically significantly from 90 days after surgery compared to the preoperative measurements. Moreover, comparing the GLS and TPI% between the treated limb and the control limb showed that a statistically significant difference remained at each timepoint.

Long-Term Effects of Whole-Body Vibration on Hind Limb Muscles, Gait and Pain in Lame Dogs with Borderline-to-Severe Hip Dysplasia-A Pilot Study.

This pilot study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) on hind limb muscles, gait and pain in lame dogs with borderline-to-severe hip dysplasia. Ten lame client-owned dogs with borderline-to-severe hip dysplasia, aged from 1.5 to 9.0 years and weighing 14.5 to 53.0 kg, were enrolled. The WBV training program consisted of 15 min sessions three times weekly for 16 weeks. Muscles of the hind limbs were evaluated using measurements of thigh circumference, the cross-sectional thickness of selected hind limb muscles by ultrasound assessment, and vastus lateralis muscle activity determined by surface electromyography (EMG). Lameness and clinical signs of pain were assessed by visual lameness scoring, orthopedic examination and an owner-based questionnaire. Kinetic analysis was performed by using a pressure-sensitive walkway. Manual thigh circumference measurements of both hind limbs showed significant increases over the trial period with a greater degree of change observed after week 8. Ultrasound measurements of the left gluteal muscles and the quadriceps femoris muscles of both hind limbs showed significant increases in the cross-section thickness post WBV. Owner's perception of pain also showed a decrease in signs of pain at week 12 and week 16 compared to baseline. Based on graphs of the EMG activity patterns of the vastus lateralis muscle, 65% of the hind limbs had an improvement after 48 WBV sessions when compared to pre-session patterns. However, no significant differences were observed in visual lameness evaluation and kinetic analysis. Therefore, further studies will help to better clarify the role of WBV in canine rehabilitation protocols.

Objective comparison of a sit to stand test to the walk test for the identification of unilateral lameness caused by cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a sit to stand test with the walk test for the identification of unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs. Peak vertical force and vertical impulse were measured on a pressure-sensitive walkway, during a sit to stand test and walk test, and in 10 dogs with unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture and 18 non-lame dogs. Data collected were used to calculate symmetry indices (SI) of ipsilateral and contralateral hindlimbs (HL), diagonal limb pairs (DLP) and ipsilateral limb pairs (ILP). The symmetry indices of peak vertical force of HL during the walk test and sit to stand test were 100% and 90% sensitive for discriminating lame and non-lame dogs respectively. The symmetry indices of vertical impulse of HLs during the walk test and sit to stand test were 100% and 50% sensitive for discriminating lame and non-lame dogs respectively. Analysis of ipsilateral and diagonal limb pairs did not improve the discrimination in either test. The time taken to collect data from the sit to stand test data was shorter than for the walk test. Whilst the sit to stand test required a shorter time for collection of data than the walk test, it did not accurately identify all dogs with lameness associated with CCLR, and thus has relatively limited clinical utility in its tested form.

Ground reaction forces, temporospatial parameters, range of motion, and limb characteristics were analyzed for small and medium size sound dogs with the use of pressure sensitive walkway.

To study ground reaction forces (GRF) and temporospatial parameters for small and medium size dogs using a pressure sensitive walkway (PSW). We hypothesized that, at a given speed, small dogs would have shorter stance time than medium dogs and that dog height (DH) would influence GRF. 30 healthy, sound dogs were divided into 2 groups, small < 15 kg and medium dog group weighing 15 to 25 kg. GRFs were measured for both groups at walk and trot using PSW. Muscle mass and joint angles were measured. Data were analyzed using SAS version 9.4. Two groups were compared using 2-sample t test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and Fisher exact test. GRFs were successfully measured in both dog groups for walk and trot. Medium dogs had larger limb girth, more peak pressure, max force, increased stance, swing time, and larger stride length compared with small dogs. Stance time increased as DH increased at walk and trot (r = 0.854, P < .001; r = 0.876, P < .001). Stance time increased as BW (body weight) increased at walk and trot (r = 0.887, P < .001; r = 0.858 P < .001). Inconclusive data was obtained for stride acceleration and velocity. The handler side did not influence results (P > .05). Range of motion (ROM) did not differ among groups. Results suggested that PSW is a reliable device for small and medium dogs. At walk and at a trot, GRF are smaller in small dogs compared with medium dogs, suggesting that normal reference data for PSW need to take BW and DH into account.

Effects of jump height on forelimb landing forces in border collies.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of jump height on the landing forces of dogs. Client-owned Border Collies experienced in agility competition, n = 9. The study involved client owned border collies with the same AKC standard jump height of 20 inches and preferred height of 16 inches. Standard height is based upon the height of the dog at the withers, with preferred height referred to as reduction in jump height by one level due to injury or age. An AKC regulation bar jump was placed over a previously validated pressure sensitive walkway (PSW). The peak force (%BW) and peak contact pressure (kPa) of the leading and trailing forelimbs were evaluated for all dogs. There was no significant difference in landing force between the two jump heights for either peak force as a percentage of body weight or peak contact pressure when evaluated in both leading and trailing forelimbs. Our findings demonstrated no significant difference in active landing forces of peak contact pressure and peak force on the forelimbs of dogs when jumping at a standard jump height vs. a preferred jump height when controlling for velocity in dogs performing a single running bar jump. These results suggest that the recommendation of decreasing jump height for older animals or injured animals may not provide a significant decrease in the impact on the forelimbs. It is likely that other factors contribute to the total forelimb kinematics picture during competition. Veterinarians and trainers should consider additional ways to decrease impact for canine athletes as they recover from injury.

The Limb Kinetics of Goat Walking on the Slope with Different Angles.

The study aimed to assess the gait adjustment techniques of limbs on different slopes and investigate the relationship between forelimb and hindlimb kinetics and the center of mass (COM) during the uphill movement of a specific Boer goat using a pressure-sensitive walkway (PSW). During the uphill and downhill movements at a comfortable walking speed, we measured the ground reaction force (GRF) of the forelimbs and hindlimbs on the slope, the change in the included angle of the propulsive force direction of the forelimbs and hindlimbs, and the impulse relationship between GRF and propulsive force. According to the study, since the forelimbs of the goat were nearer the COM, they were primarily adjusted during the movement on the slope. By lowering the initial included angle of the propulsive force and the angle variation range, the forelimbs and hindlimbs could walk steadily. The forelimbs and hindlimbs exhibited completely different adjustment strategies during uphill and downhill movements. In particular, the forelimbs performed braking and the hindlimbs performed driving. In addition, we discovered that the goat altered its adjustment strategy when climbing the steep slope. All findings of this study indicate the need to understand the gait adjustment mode of the Boer goat during movement on the slope to thoroughly comprehend the driving strategy of quadrupeds with the ability to walk on specialized terrains.

Impact of Sex and Velocity on Plantar Pressure Distribution during Gait: A Cross-Sectional Study Using an Instrumented Pressure-Sensitive Walkway.

In-shoe systems and pressure plates are used to assess plantar pressure during gait, but additional tools are employed to evaluate other gait parameters. The GAITRite® system is a clinical gait evaluation tool. Extensive literature is available for spatiotemporal parameters, but it is scarce for relative plantar pressure data. Therefore, we investigated whether, when controlling for age, the GAITRite® system is able to distinguish the effects of walking velocity on plantar pressure parameters in six plantar regions in a large sample of adults. Participants (83 women and 87 men, aged 18−85 years) walked at three self-selected velocities (slow, preferred, fast) on a 6-m long GAITRite® walkway. Relative peak pressure, pressure-time integral, peak time and contact area were computed for six zones (lateral and medial heel, mid- and forefoot). The impact of age (covariate), sex, side, velocity, pressure zone and their interactions on pressure variables was evaluated. Velocity affected peak pressure, pressure-time integral, peak time and contact area (p < 0.001). With increasing self-selected gait velocity, medial forefoot peak pressure and pressure-time integral increased (p < 0.001), while heel and lateral forefoot regions displayed a nonlinear plantar pressure evolution. These results suggest lower (heel strike) or more equally distributed (push-off) loads at preferred gait velocity.

Use of acoustic myography to evaluate forelimb muscle function in retriever dogs carrying different mouth weights.

To evaluate the effect of mouth weight on gait and relative function of forelimb muscles in retriever hunting dogs as a possible explanation for biceps tendinopathy. Ten sound retriever dogs underwent acoustic myography, measuring efficiency (E-score), spatial summation (S-score), and temporal summation (T-score) during walk and trot on a pressure-sensitive walkway while carrying a 0 lb (0 kg), 1 lb (0.45 kg), and 3.2 lb (1.45 kg) mouth weight. Gait data included total pressure index (TPI), step length, and stance time. Statistics included a mixed effects model significant at p < 0.05. Forelimb TPI increased with increasing weight. There was no significant change in individual muscle parameters in response to weight. Significance was found in between-muscle comparisons. For walk, T-score was significantly lower in triceps vs. brachiocephalicus with 1 lb, not with 3.2 lb., S-score was significantly lower in the biceps at 0, 1 lb, and triceps at 0 lb. when compared to brachiocephalicus, E-score was significantly lower in deltoideus vs. brachiocephalicus at trot with l and 3.2 lb. There was an overall significant effect of muscle on T-score at trot, but no individual muscle comparison was significant. Forelimb load increases with mouth weight. Deltoideus had a longer contraction time in response to increasing weight at trot when compared to brachiocephalicus. The biceps muscle did not show increased work in response to increasing weight. The underlying etiology of biceps tendinopathies in retriever dogs remains uncertain but is not due to increasing weight.

Validation of Pressure-Sensing Insoles in Patients with Parkinson's Disease during Overground Walking in Single and Cognitive Dual-Task Conditions.

There is a need for unobtrusive and valid tools to collect gait parameters in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The novel promising tools are pressure-sensing insoles connected to a smartphone app; however, few studies investigated their measurement properties during simple or challenging conditions in PD patients. This study aimed to examine the validity and reliability of gait parameters computed by pressure-sensing insoles (FeetMe® insoles, Paris, France). Twenty-five PD patients (21 males, mean age: 69 (7) years) completed two walking assessment sessions. In each session, participants walked on an electronic pressure-sensitive walkway (GaitRite®, CIR System Inc., Franklin, NJ, USA) without other additional instructions (i.e., single-task condition) and while performing a concurrent cognitive task (i.e., dual-task condition). Spatiotemporal gait parameters were measured simultaneously using the pressure-sensing insoles and the electronic walkway. Concurrent validity was assessed by correlation coefficients and Bland–Altman methodology. Test–retest reliability was examined by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and minimal detectable changes (MDC). The validity results showed moderate to excellent correlations and good agreement between the two systems. Concerning test–retest reliability, moderate-to-excellent ICC values and acceptable MDC demonstrated the repeatability of the measured gait parameters. Our findings support the use of these insoles as complementary instruments to conventional tools during single and dual-task conditions.

Gait in younger and older adults during rhythmic auditory stimulation is influenced by groove, familiarity, beat perception, and synchronization demands.

Music-based Rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) is a cueing intervention used to regulate gait impairments in conditions such as Parkinson's disease or stroke. Desire to move with music ('groove') and familiarity have been shown to impact younger adult gait while walking with music, and these effects appear to be influenced by individual rhythmic ability. Importantly, these factors have not been examined in older adults. The aim of this study was to determine how gait outcomes during RAS are influenced by musical properties (familiarity, 'groove') in both free and synchronized walking for younger and older adults with good and poor beat perception ability. To do this, participants were randomized to either free or synchronized walking groups. Each participant's gait was assessed on a pressure sensitive walkway during high versus low groove and high versus low familiarity music, as well as metronome, cueing trials. Individual beat perception ability was evaluated using the Beat Alignment Test. Results showed that the effects of synchronization and groove were mostly consistent across age groups. High groove music elicited faster gait in both age groups, with longer strides only among young adults, than low groove music; synchronizing maximized these effects. Older adults with poor beat perception were more negatively affected by unfamiliar stimuli while walking than younger adults. This suggests that older adults, like younger adults, may benefit from synchronized RAS to high groove cues but may be more vulnerable to cognitive demands associated with walking to unfamiliar stimuli. This should be accounted for in clinical implementations of RAS.