Influence of calibration protocols for a pressure-sensing walkway on kinetic and temporospatial parameters.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the influence on the kinetic and temporospatial parameters of calibration protocols with point and step techniques for a pressure-sensing walkway. METHODS Nine Labrador dogs were used. Two protocols of point calibration technique (C1 and C2) and eight protocols of step calibration technique (C3 to C10) were performed. In C1, weight was added to a stool to match the body mass of each dog. In C2, weight was added to the stool to match a 46.1 kg person. The other eight calibration protocols represented combinations of the following factors: 46.1 kg and 96.1 kg persons, barefoot or wearing sneakers, and stepping onto the platform with one or two feet. RESULTS The calibration protocols did not affect the temporospatial variables or percentages of body weight (%BW) distribution. Significant differences were found in both PVI (peak vertical force) and VI (vertical impulse) between barefoot versus wearing sneakers, 46.1 kg versus 96.1 kg person, and stepping onto the platform with one foot versus two feet. When comparing C1 with other protocols, significant differences were observed in PVF and VI for both forelimbs and hindlimbs. When comparing C2 with other protocols, significant differences were observed in PVF and VI for both forelimbs and hindlimbs in all protocols. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The PVF and VI were influenced by the calibration protocol used, but the %BW distribution and temporospatial parameters were not. Using the same calibration protocol for all dogs within the same group eliminated the variability of the kinetic data caused by the calibration.