Clean Run - April 2017 - 59

goes from one obstacle to
the next. The three phases
of a transition include the
body preparing to perform
an action, then performing
the action, then recovering
from the action to perform
another action. Multiple
obstacles means there are
multiple transitions during
a run. Proper preparation
would include conditioning the body for optimal
speed, training for obstacle management, and
optimizing inter-obstacle
transitions.

Muscles Flexing
(Contracted)

Muscles being
Distracted

The running actions of the
body are defined by stride
distance and time. Stride
frequency has shown to have
greater influence on speed than
stride length in the racing greyhound. This would suggest that
sprint-type of training in a tapering method would enhance the
muscle memory and strength of
the musculature of lower back and
rear legs. Distractors to performance would be pain in the lumbar paravertebral muscles, hamstring and antebrachial muscles of
the distal rear limb. Structural distractors would typically be lumbosacral pain, hip and toe joints.
Warm ups prior to activity would
be helpful.

The action of turning has shown
to decrease speed. In this scenario, energy for forward movement is diverted to the act of turning. Ways to strengthen the body
to handle the energy of the turn
would include low-intensity turning activities. The intent of these
exercises would be to increase the
structural strength of the muscles,
tendons as well as the carpal and
toe joints. Physical distractors of
turning may play a greater role
in how a dog navigates a course.
These would include pain of the

paravertebral muscles of the thoracolumbar region of the vertebra,
shoulder muscles, antebrachial
muscles and the joints of the carpus, toes, shoulders and elbows.
In a turn, the paravertebral muscles of the inside flex more than
the muscles of the outside which
are distracted. See Figure 9. Any
pain in these muscles would alter
how the dog is able to turn. Any
pain in the front leg may also affect
the dog's ability to turn. Warm ups
prior to activity would be helpful.
The jumping action is similar to
straightaway running but places
an increased demand on the lower
back and pelvis region. In this scenario, energy for forward movement is diverted upward to create
the act of jumping. Minimizing the
stress on the body while jumping minimizes the amount of energy diversion upward, allowing
for highest amount of forward
thrust. Increasing the strength
of the lower back muscles will
enhance the strength of the jump
action. Inclined exercises similar
to uphill sprints and jumping actions are just a few of the many
exercises described in current lit-

erature that are designed
to increase strength of the
lumbar musculature. Distractors to jumping performance would be pain in the
lumbar paravertebral muscles, thigh and antebrachial
muscles of the distal rear
limb. Structural distractors
would typically be lumbosacral pain, hip and toe joints.
Warm-ups prior to activity
would be helpful.
The transitional movements
are complex and depend
upon the previous action
and the upcoming action.
The distribution of forces
will change through the segments of the body. Ways to
strengthen the body to handle the
energy of a transition would include
low-intensity turning and jumping activities. The intent of these
exercises would be to increase the
structural strength of the muscles,
tendons as well as the carpal and
toe joints. Distractors affecting the
transition would include pain in the
front limbs and the thoracolumbar
muscles. Warm ups prior to activity
would be helpful.

In Conclusion
Understanding the biomechanics
of canine performance provides
usable data to develop training
strategies to optimize the dog's
capabilities. It will show how
and where the training program
should focus. Eliminating subclinical structural issues affecting performance stabilizes how the dog
runs, which will help the handler
to manage the dog in competition.
References
Gillette, RL. The Athletic and Working Newsletter, Issues 2:3, 3:1, 4:4,
5:1 & 6:1 D

Robert L. Gillette, DVM, MSE, is a Charter Diplomate of American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation. In addition to his veterinary education, he has
an M.S.E. in biomechanics. Dr. Gillette has over 20 years of experience with athletic and working dogs. He is the author of a veterinary surgical text book and numerous
related book chapters and scientific publications, as well as a national and international lecturer on canine lameness, veterinary rehabilitation, athletic dog performance
and sports medicine. Dr. Gillette is currently located in New Jersey in 2014 and can be reached at k9care@sportsvet.com.

April 17 | Clean Run

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