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Scientific Publications
Extraction of canine gait characteristics using a mobile gait analysis system based on inertial measurement units
Highlights
- Simple algorithms could extract gait characteristics based on inertial measurement units (IMU).
- The comparison of the IMU-based estimation of the range of motion with the optical tracking system gave similar results to the more sophisticated IMU-based approaches.
- The IMU-based detection of stance and swing phases compared to video-recorded steps showed promising results.
Abstract
This study aims to investigate two simple algorithms for extracting gait features from an inertial measurement unit (IMU) based canine gait analysis system. The first algorithm was developed to determine the hip/shoulder extension/flexion range of motion. The second algorithm automatically determines the stance and swing phase per leg. To investigate the accuracy of the algorithms, two dogs were walked on a treadmill and measured simultaneously with an IMU system, an optical tracking system and two cameras. The range of motion estimation was compared to the optical tracking systems, with a total of 280 steps recorded. To test the stance and swing phase detection, a total of 63 steps were manually annotated in the video recordings and compared with the output of the algorithm.
The IMU’s-based estimation of the range of motion showed an average deviation of 1.4° to 5.6° from the optical reference, while the average deviation in the detection of the beginning and end of the stance and swing phases ranged from -0.01 to 0.09 s. This study shows that even simple algorithms can extract relevant information from inertial measurements that are comparable to results from more complex approaches. However, additional studies including a wider subject pool need to be conducted to investigate the significance of the presented findings.
Click here for the link to the Journal Veterinary and Animal Science Volume 21, September 2023, 100301 scientific paper for more insights.
“Functional diagnostics can reveal malpositions and disorders at an early stage, thus enabling direct orthopaedic manual treatment.“
Our aim is to enable dogs to grow up and walk healthily.
Publications – Books
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The goal of orthopedics is not just to treat emergencies.
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LUPOMOVE® PUPPY – The innovative construction and prophylaxes program for puppies
The Swiss veterinarian, orthopaedist and exercise specialist Patrick Blättler Monnier has specialised in the topic of healthy exercise for puppies. In his book “How much exercise does a puppy need”, the passionate researcher does away with outdated rules-of-thumb, and provides information on how you can help your puppy develop in a healthy way thanks to specific exercise programmes, so that it can enjoy a long, active life without hip dysplasia or other skeletal diseases. These can be triggered, for example, by too intensive a diet or uncontrolled exercise.
The book also offers a wide range of intriguing topics for dog owners.
In the context of maintaining, strengthening and regaining health in dogs, for example, the author gives evidence-based advice in puppies. For example:
- on early detection of medically abnormal behaviour and appropriate therapy methods
- age- and breed-appropriate nutrition
- type and duration of exercise
The book includes informative graphics, photographs and x-rays, as well as videos that can be called up via QR code, which visualise practical examples of the problems described and illustrate the topics clearly.
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