Functional assessment of the gluteus medius cranial part of the biceps femoris and vastus lateralis in Beagle dogs based on a novel gait phaseclassification

摘要

In humans, walking analysis based on the gait phase classification has been used for interpretation of functional roles of different movements occurring atindividual joints, and it is useful for establishing a rehabilitation plan. However, there have been few reports on canine gait phase classification, and thisis one of the reasons for preventing progress in canine rehabilitation. In this study, we determined phases of the canine gait cycle (GC) on the basis of thephase classification for human gait. The canine GC was able to be divided into initial contact (IC) and the following 5 phases: loading response (LR), middlestance (MidSt), pre-swing (PSw), early swing (ESw), and late swing (LSw). Next, the hind limb joint angles of the hip, stifle and tarsal joints and results ofsurface electromyography of the gluteus medius (GM), cranial part of the biceps femoris (CBF) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles in relation to the gait phaseswere analyzed. The activities of three muscles showed similar changes during walking. The muscle activities were high in the LR phase and then declined andreached a minimum in the PSw phase, but they increased and reached a peak in the LSw phase, which was followed by the LR phase. In conclusion, the multiphasiccanine GC was developed by modification of the human model, and the GC phase-related changes in the muscle activity and joint angles suggested the functions ofGM, CBF and VL muscles in walking.