Comparison of Simultaneously Collected Kinetic Data with Force Plates and a Pressure Walkway

This article compares simultaneously collected kinetic data (percent limb distribution and limb symmetry) with force plates (FP) and a pressure walkway.

This study included 18 healthy client-owned adult dogs.

Vertical ground reaction force and pressure data were collected during two sessions 1 week apart (days 1 and 7) using both FP and pressure mat systems. Vertical ground reaction forces and vertical pressure data were each collected alone as well as simultaneously. A mixed effects model was used to test for differences in force, force percent data and symmetry indices (SI) that were calculated for the thoracic and pelvic limb pairs, between collection systems. A Pearson's correlation was used to test for correlations between force, force percentage and SI.

There was no difference in peak vertical force (PVF) or total pressure index (TPI) data collected alone or when collected with pressure mat overlay the FP. Small but significant differences were found in percent limb distribution between PVF% and TPI%. Significant differences were found in the calculated SI for forelimbs and hindlimbs. Correlations between the PVF% and TPI% distribution were significant in both the fore- and hindlimbs. While there was a significant correlation between the forelimb SI, there was no significant correlation between the SI in the hindlimbs.

The method of calculating PVF and TPI percentages allowed for comparison between the collection methods. Significant differences were noted in the calculated SI between the collection methods and direct comparisons is not advisable.