Comparison of pressure plate and force plate gait kinetics in sound Warmbloods at walk and trot.

This research investigates the efficiency of using modern pressure plates as an alternative to traditional force plates in analyzing horse gait. The study found that while pressure plates give excellent relative measurements and are cost-efficient, they cannot accurately measure absolute values of limb loading like force plates can.

Study Objectives and Methods

• This research aimed at determining whether modern pressure plates could serve as a good alternative to traditional force plates. The performance of the pressure plates was examined through a quantitative analysis of the gait of six Warmblood horses.
• Data for peak vertical force (PVF), vertical impulse (VI), time at which the PVF occurs (tPVF), and forelimb symmetry ratios (SymPVF and SymVI) were simultaneously recorded using pressure plates and force plates.
• The comparison would validate if the pressure plate could deliver reliable gait kinetics measurements. Conditions for acquiring valid data on horses’ movement were outlined which included horses moving in a straight line at a constant pace whose speed was within a given range and the hoof fully in contact with the plate surface.

Study Findings

• Significant differences were observed between data captured by the pressure plates and force plates for the various parameters except for the stance phase duration (ST).
• Despite the differences, the agreement between the pressure plates and force plates for ST, tPVF, and symmetry ratios was rated as excellent with agreement indices (Ais) scoring ≥ 0.92. On the other hand, agreement for PVF and VI measurements was described as moderate with Ais scoring ≥ 0.70.
• Differences between pressure plates and force plates for symmetry ratios ranged from 2-7%, which is much lower compared to the expected symmetry decrease relatable to mild lameness (> 20%).

Implications and Conclusions

• Results from this study suggest that standalone pressure plates can provide excellent relative temporal data and are good for evaluating loading symmetry ratios. These features plus the mobility, affordability, and speed in gait evaluation make pressure plates a viable tool for veterinarians to use for clinical purposes.
• However, the study recommends that pressure plates should not be used interchangeably with force plates to measure absolute values of limb loading due to the observed moderate agreement and significant differences in performance.