MOVEMENT Flashcards
Why analyse locomotion
Evaluate what is normal /abnormal Assess gait patterns Identify gait adaptations Performance indicators Welfare indicators
What is a gait
Are specific patterns of the footfalls during locomotion
Change with speed
Strides take place within a gait
What are the different types of gait
Walk
Trot
Canter
Gallop
Characteristic of walk
4 beat
Symmetric
Never >3 or <2 limbs weight bearing at one time
Centre of gravity always between a triangle of weight bearing feet
Characteristics of trot
2 beat
Symmetric
Diagonal gait
Body supported alternatively by left and right diagonal pairs
Period of suspense between successive stance phases
Characteristic of canter
3 beat Asymmetric Rocking horse motion : - RH RF+LH LF - LH LF+RH RF One movement of suspension
Characteristics of gallop
Fast, 4 bea
Asymmetric
Horses usually lead with their inside leg around a turn - called lead leg
Moment of suspension - normally 1 per cycle however 2 with cheetahs and grey hounds per cycle
What are the 3 types f gallop
Transverse
Rotary
Counter- rotary
Describe transverse gallop
LH RH. LF. RF - 1 moment of suspension
When is transverse gallop used
Dogs at low speed
Horses ( odd-toed ungulates )
Cattle(large even-toed ungulates )
Describe rotary gallop
RH LH. LF. RF
2 moments of suspension
When is rotary gallop used
All cats
Dogs at high speed
Gazelle, antelope ( small even-toed ungulates )
Running rodents
Describe counter- rotary gallop
The opposite of rotary
I.e. anticlockwise foot falls
When is counter-rotary gallop used
Greyhounds on the track, since they race anti-clockwise
Why change gait
Physical necessity
Metabolic advantages - optimal speed for each gait at which energy cost is minimal
Mechanical advantages - reduced bone strain
What are the 2 types of neurological basis for limb coordination
Sensation
Motor response to stimuli
Sensation
Vision Vestibular system (inner ear)- balance orientation Mechanoreceptors (touch) Nociceptors (pain) Propriocceptors ( body position)
what is the motor response to stimuli include
Nervous system - voluntary and involuntary control, reflex’s
Central pattern generators - generaterhythmic motor patterns (inc respiration )
Brain stem
Cerebellum- balance
Constant monitoring of muscle length and tension
What is responsible for producing different gaits
Motor response to stimuli-
Central pattern generators
What monitors muscle length and tension
Muscle spindles and blogging tendon organs
Give example of equine adaptations for locomotion
Increased stride length - elongation of distal limb
Minimised mass of limb - reduced number of bones in limb, muscles positioned proximally
Conservation of energy- long tendons
Relatively rigid spine - large gut , large body mass
Examples of canine adaptations for locomotion
Elongation of limbs - mass proximal
Digitigrade - need claws for catching prey and assist with grip
Flexible back - increases stride length
Tail- assists with balance when out of balance
How can locomotion be assessed
Visually
Analysis equipment - e.g. high speed treadmills, video cameras, data analysis soft ware
What are the clinical consequences of the species adaptations for locomotion
Low safety margins in bones and tendons- equines often experience fractures and tendon trains.
Little soft tissue covering distal limbs - pot wound fracture healing and to absorb impact loads causes Joint injuries/ osteoarthritis
