Clean Run Magazine - January 2010 - 24

person moving the dog’s stifle may move it through ranges from 40° to 165°. Flexion is bending the stifle and extension is straightening the stifle. The hip at a normal stance is between 85° and 100°. Range of motion at the hip is between 50° of flexion and 165° of extension. Therefore, with normal measurements, the hip will bend approximately 50° and straighten out to 165°. The hock at a normal stance measures between 130° and 175°. The varying numbers relate to the different breeds. For example, a Standard Poodle has a straighter hock than a German Shepherd Dog. During extremes of motion, the hock is in 35° of flexion and 165° of extension. All these measurements are taken from a stationary dog, and until now, the extremes of range of motion have not been taken while a dog is in action or moving on agility equipment. Table 3 represents the measurements taken at the contact: the two extremes of flexion and extension were measured for each angle during the contact. This table represents the measurements taken at the 5'6" A-frame height. To conserve space, the additional tables are not included but are summarized. For example, the dog and handler performed three runs and the angles at the hip, stifle, and hock were measured at the contact using Dartfish. So, the dog’s image was suspended and the measurements were taken from the three runs. The measurements were then added together and divided by three to obtain the average of the angles. The angles were rounded up if they were over .5° and rounded down if they were .4° or below. Therefore, the extreme angle produced at each joint during the contact performance was described, inclusive of the moment before a two-on/ two-off contact was attained, for dogs doing that particular contact behavior. Table 3: Angles measured during performance of 5'6" A-frame Dog # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Contact Observed Running Running 2O/2O Running 2O/2O Running 2O/2O 2O/2O Running Running 2O/2O 4OTF 2O/2O 2O/2O 2O/2O 2O/2O Running 2O/2O 2O/2O 2O/2O 2O/2O Hip Angles 175° ext – 65° flex 135° ext – 60° flex 150° ext – 55° flex 163° ext – 58° flex 155° ext – 45° flex 165° ext – 45° flex 157° ext – 47° flex 150° ext – 43° flex 155° ext – 55° flex 153° ext – 58° flex 146° ext – 39° flex 145° ext – 44° flex 150° ext – 48° flex 155° ext – 65° flex 152° ext – 41° flex 155° ext – 43° flex 160° ext – 68° flex 154° ext – 52° flex 150° ext – 61° flex 147° ext – 44° flex 148° ext – 48° flex Stifle Angles 160° ext – 60° flex 170° ext – 75° flex 163° ext – 45° flex 165° ext – 72° flex 157° ext – 38° flex 155° ext – 65° flex 149° ext – 41° flex 145° ext – 40° flex 152° ext – 75° flex 150° ext – 72° flex 151° ext – 39° flex 140° ext – 43° flex 145° ext – 45° flex 158° ext – 70° flex 132° ext – 40° flex 154° ext – 42° flex 154° ext – 68° flex 138° ext – 40° flex 147° ext – 50° flex 138° ext – 46° flex 144° ext – 60° flex Hock Angles 180° ext – 27° flex 175° ext – 34° flex 164° ext – 38° flex 158° ext – 39° flex 152° ext – 33° flex 152° ext – 34° flex 154° ext – 27° flex 145° ext – 32° flex 163° ext – 44° flex 150° ext – 49° flex 152° ext – 29° flex 135° ext – 34° flex 152° ext – 42° flex 164° ext – 50° flex 142° ext – 38° flex 138° ext – 39° flex 158° ext – 58° flex 136° ext – 35° flex 134° ext – 51° flex 130° ext – 42° flex 144° ext – 40° flex Comments Fast, confident Slower, deliberate Fast, confident Cautious Fast Cautious Confident Fast, confident Joint Angles During A-frame Performance During a running contact, the angles of the hind limb are at a more natural running angle as described above. (Note that many dogs had periods descending the A-frame where the hind limbs did not make contact with the A-frame and all the pressure was on the forelimbs. The forelimbs were not formally studied, but stress on the forelimbs was noted. Future studies should include an examination of the forelimbs.) Hip extension was measured between 160° and 178° on various dogs. Running contacts were more similar to a regular stride and the range of motion the dog naturally performs. When dogs ascend the A-frame, they do so at a fairly significant speed. When they descend the A-frame, they need to slow down the speed generated while also overcoming the force of gravity that is pulling them down the A-frame. While stopping, the dog places a significant amount of stress on the forelimbs and hind limbs. Take your training where it’s never gone before The Ready Jump is a portable, competition-quality, 4' wide jump that you can take anywhere. It opens or closes in under 15 seconds and stores easily with no loose pieces. The Ready Jump features Clip and Go jump cup strips so it has cups every 2", from 4" up to 26". It’s so easy to use, there’s no excuse not to take the show on the road. ® Available exclusively from www.cleanrun.com and www.ClipAndGoAgility.com Clean Run | January 10

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Clean Run Magazine - January 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - January 2010