Meeting Abstract

P2.49  Wednesday, Jan. 5  Canine gait in water and on land and mechanisms for increasing speed DICKSON, JM*; SPANGLER, SB; RODNICK, KJ; ANDERSON, CW; Idaho State University, Pocatello; Idaho State University, Pocatello; Idaho State University, Pocatello; Idaho State University, Pocatello dickjuli@isu.edu

Although hydrotherapy is being used increasingly for rehabilitation of animals with injuries of the limbs and back, our understanding of the effects of water on gait are limited. Objectives of the current study were to 1) examine how healthy canines compensate limb movements for locomotion in water versus on land, and 2) define how canines increase speed under both conditions. We investigated changes in timing of stance and swing phases, forelimb lift and lift angle at the elbow, stride length and frequency, and swing velocity at different speeds. High-speed (60 Hz) videography (Fastec,TroubleShooter) was used to record canine locomotion on a novel treadmill apparatus operating with or without water at 1.0-4.0 mph (0.45-1.8 m/s). Image capture and analysis (CamLink,VirtualDub) show canines compensating for walking in water by increasing forelimb lift (2-fold), stride length and swing phase. In contrast, canines decreased stride frequency and swing velocity in water. For increasing speed on land and in water, canines showed steady increase in stride length, forelimb lift, and especially in stride frequency. Stance phase decreased both on land and underwater, though swing phase remained constant on land and decreased underwater. Given the high resistance and increased energetic cost for movement in water, it is not unexpected that we observed marked differences in canine gait between land and water. Exaggerated motion of limbs may present a potential for use of walking in water to strengthen skeletal muscle and associated joints. Locomotion in water may also be beneficial for therapy because of buoyancy and reduced weight bearing on skeletal elements.