Methods to Quantify the Velocity Dependence of Common Gait Measurements from Automated Rodent Gait Analysis Devices

J Neurosci Methods, 2015 · DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2015.06.017 · Published: September 30, 2015

Spinal Cord Injury Neurology Biomechanics

Simple Explanation

Walking at different speeds changes how we move, so gait measurements differ at different velocities. This is important when studying injuries because we need to know if gait changes are from the injury or just the speed. The study introduces techniques to understand how gait changes with speed, by measuring paw placement in relation to the rat's body. This helps to analyze changes in gait after spinal cord injury more accurately. Rats walking faster take more consistent steps, placing their front paws more towards the middle and front, and their back paws more towards the middle and back. After a spinal cord injury, this consistency decreases.

Study Duration

7 weeks

Participants

74 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Rats exhibit greater step consistency at higher velocities.
2
Forelimb initial contact is more medial and anterior at higher velocities.
3
Hindlimb toe off is more medial and posterior at higher velocities.

Research Summary

The study addresses the confounding factor of velocity dependence in gait measurements by introducing novel techniques to quantify and analyze how gait parameters change with velocity in rats. By translating pawprint data into a body coordinate frame, the researchers were able to measure paw placement relative to the animal's body, revealing that rats exhibit greater consistency and altered paw placement at higher velocities. The study demonstrates how these techniques can be used to quantify changes in paw placement and coordination following spinal cord injury, providing a more comprehensive understanding of locomotor recovery.

Practical Implications

Improved Gait Analysis

The new methods provide more accurate and comprehensive gait analysis by accounting for velocity dependence.

Enhanced Spinal Cord Injury Research

The techniques enable a better understanding of locomotor recovery after spinal cord injury.

Refined Rehabilitation Strategies

The findings can inform the development of targeted rehabilitation strategies to restore normal gait patterns.

Study Limitations

1
Estimates of body angle and center of mass can be unreliable when pawprint data is absent.
2
The first two forelimb prints and the last two hindlimb prints often had to be discarded from analysis.
3
Visual inspection of paw placement cones during stance phase revealed no noticeable differences.

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