DOI: 10.5061/dryad.72nj2d0
title: Data from: Use of a pressure-sensing walkway system for biometric assessment of gait characteristics in goats

description: The purpose of this study was to quantitatively assess gait
 characteristics and weight-bearing forces during ambulation in healthy
 goats using a pressure-sensing walkway as a biometric tool for stride,
 gait, and force analysis. Forty-six healthy adult goats ranging in age
 from 5 to 6 years, mixed-breeds, and with a mean body weight of 52 ± 7.1
 kgs were used. Goats were trained to walk over a pressure-sensing walkway.
 Data for analysis was collected on 2 different days, 3 days apart. On each
 day, 2 to 5 walking passes, in the same direction, were captured for each
 goat. Data from 2 valid passes meeting the criteria for consistent walking
 gait on each day were averaged then used for analysis. Analysis was
 performed, including the day-effect, for stride, gait, and force
 characteristics. Of the 46 goats enrolled in the study, complete data sets
 were achieved in 33 (72%) goats. Gait biometrics were similar among the
 assessment days; therefore, all data was pooled for the purpose of
 characterizing data for individual limb and biometric parameter
 comparisons at the individual goat level. Statistical analysis revealed
 that no difference within the paired limbs and that there were significant
 differences between the front limbs and hind limbs. Maximum force and
 maximum peak pressure were significantly greater for the front limbs as
 compared with the hind limbs (p &lt; 0.001). Based on the results,
 gait and force characteristics can be consistently measured in goats using
 a pressure-sensing walkway during a consistent walking gait. Goats apply
 greater force to the forelimbs during the weight-bearing phase of stride
 as compared with the hind limbs. The use of objective assessment tools is
 expected to improve the ability of researchers and clinicians to monitor
 changes in weight bearing and gait and will contribute to improved animal
 welfare.
description: S1 Table_Pressure
 sensing data for healthy goatsThis table represents
 the data collected on the gait assessment of non-lame
 goats.S1 Table_Pressure
 sensing data for goatsThe purpose of this
 study was to quantitatively assess gait characteristics and weight-bearing
 forces during ambulation in healthy goats using a pressure-sensing walkway
 as a biometric tool for stride, gait, and force analysis. Forty-six
 healthy adult goats ranging in age from 5 to 6 years, mixed-breeds, and
 with a mean body weight of 52 ± 7.1 kgs were used. Goats were trained to
 walk over a pressure-sensing walkway. Data for analysis was collected on 2
 different days, 3 days apart. On each day, 2 to 5 walking passes, in the
 same direction, were captured for each goat. Data from 2 valid passes
 meeting the criteria for consistent walking gait on each day were averaged
 then used for analysis. Analysis was performed, including the day-effect,
 for stride, gait, and force characteristics. Of the 46 goats enrolled in
 the study, complete data sets were achieved in 33 (72%) goats. Gait
 biometrics were similar among the assessment days; therefore, all data was
 pooled for the purpose of characterizing data for individual limb and
 biometric parameter comparisons at the individual goat level. Statistical
 analysis revealed that no difference within the paired limbs and that
 there were significant differences between the front limbs and hind limbs.
 Maximum force and maximum peak pressure were significantly greater for the
 front limbs as compared with the hind limbs (p &lt; 0.001). Based on the
 results, gait and force characteristics can be consistently measured in
 goats using a pressure-sensing walkway during a consistent walking gait.
 Goats apply greater force to the forelimbs during the weight-bearing phase
 of stride as compared with the hind limbs. The use of objective assessment
 tools is expected to improve the ability of researchers and clinicians to
 monitor changes in weight bearing and gait and will contribute to improved
 animal welfare.