Static Rods Test
Motor function assessment apparatus with five graduated diameter rods (9-35mm) for evaluating balance, grip strength, and neuromuscular coordination in rodents.
Louise Corscadden, PhD
Director of Science · ConductScience
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Key Specifications
Full details →- Model fit
- Mouse, Rat
- SKU family
- 5006
- Sizing
- 38.6 x 32.2 x 25.7 cm
- Ordering
- Online checkout and quote request available
- Category
- Behavioral Mazes
- Build notes
- Confirm accessories, station layout, and support needs before purchase
The Static Rods Test is a motor function assessment apparatus designed to evaluate balance, grip strength, and neuromuscular coordination in laboratory rodents. This apparatus consists of five static rods of varying diameters (9mm, 15mm, 22mm, 28mm, and 35mm) at 60 cm length, providing a graduated assessment of motor performance across different grip challenges.
The test measures an animal's ability to maintain balance and grip on horizontal rods of decreasing diameter, with smaller rods presenting progressively greater motor coordination challenges. This standardized approach allows researchers to quantify motor deficits, evaluate therapeutic interventions, and monitor disease progression in animal models of neurological disorders, aging, and motor dysfunction.
How It Works
The Static Rods Test operates on the principle of assessing motor coordination through challenging balance tasks of increasing difficulty. Animals are placed on horizontal rods and must maintain their grip and balance without external support. The graduated rod diameters create a standardized progression from easier (35mm) to more challenging (9mm) grip requirements.
Motor performance is evaluated by measuring the animal's latency to fall from each rod diameter. As rod diameter decreases, the grip challenge increases exponentially, revealing subtle motor deficits that may not be apparent on larger diameter rods. The test capitalizes on the natural tendency of rodents to grasp and maintain balance, making it sensitive to neuromuscular dysfunction affecting grip strength, balance, and coordination.
Features & Benefits
warranty_length
- 1 YEAR
storage_included
- Yes
assembly_required
- Yes
Behavioral Construct
- Motor coordination
- Balance
- Grip strength
- Neuromuscular function
Automation Level
- manual
Species
- Mouse
- Rat
Research Domain
- Aging Research
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Motor Function
- Neurodegeneration
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
Compatible Tracking Software
- ConductVision
Weight
- 22.05 kg
Dimensions
- L: 38.6 mm
- W: 32.2 mm
- H: 25.7 mm
| Feature | This Product | Typical Alternative | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Rod Diameters | Five graduated diameters (9-35mm) | Single diameter or 2-3 rod options | Comprehensive motor assessment across broad difficulty range reveals subtle deficits not detected by single-rod tests |
| Rod Length | 60 cm standardized length | Variable lengths typically 30-50 cm | Sufficient space for natural movement patterns while maintaining consistent testing conditions |
| Storage Integration | Included organized storage system | Loose component storage | Maintains rod integrity and prevents damage between testing sessions |
| Species Compatibility | Multi-species design for mice and rats | Species-specific apparatus required | Single apparatus accommodates multiple rodent species reducing equipment costs and space requirements |
This apparatus provides comprehensive motor assessment through five graduated rod diameters with integrated storage and multi-species compatibility. The standardized 60 cm length and systematic diameter progression offers superior sensitivity for detecting motor deficits compared to single-rod alternatives.
Practical Tips
Habituate animals to the testing environment for 5-10 minutes before formal assessment to reduce anxiety-related performance variability.
Why: Environmental stress can significantly confound motor performance measurements.
Record ambient temperature during testing sessions as motor performance can be affected by temperature variations.
Why: Cold conditions can reduce grip strength and motor coordination independently of experimental variables.
Inspect rod surfaces regularly for wear or damage that could affect grip consistency between animals and testing sessions.
Why: Surface irregularities can create artificial performance variations unrelated to motor function.
Verify rod diameters with calipers monthly to ensure measurement accuracy is maintained over time.
Why: Small changes in rod diameter significantly affect grip difficulty and test sensitivity.
Conduct testing at consistent times of day to minimize circadian rhythm effects on motor performance.
Why: Motor function shows diurnal variation that can confound experimental results if not controlled.
If animals consistently refuse to grip rods, reduce testing height or implement pre-training on larger diameter training rods.
Why: Fear responses can override motor assessment and prevent valid data collection.
Position adequate padding below rods and maintain appropriate fall height to prevent injury while ensuring clear fall detection.
Why: Animal welfare requires injury prevention while maintaining test validity through observable fall endpoints.
Setup Guide
What’s in the Box
- Five static rods: 35mm, 28mm, 22mm, 15mm, and 9mm diameter at 60cm length
- Mounting hardware and assembly components
- Storage system for rod organization
- Assembly instructions and user manual (typical)
- Quick start testing protocol guide (typical)
Warranty
ConductScience provides a 1-year manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, along with technical support for setup and protocol optimization.
Compliance
What is the optimal testing sequence for the different rod diameters?
Begin with the largest diameter (35mm) and progress systematically to smaller diameters, allowing 2-3 minute rest intervals between trials to prevent fatigue effects. This progression maintains motivation while revealing motor deficits of increasing severity.
How should fall latency be measured and what constitutes a fall?
Record time from placement on rod until the animal loses contact with all four paws or hangs by forepaws only. Use consistent placement position and timing methodology across all animals and testing sessions.
What age ranges are appropriate for testing with this apparatus?
Adult mice (8-12 weeks) and rats (8-16 weeks) show optimal performance, though the apparatus can accommodate younger and older animals with adjusted expectations for baseline performance levels.
How many trials should be conducted per rod diameter?
Three trials per diameter with the best performance recorded is standard, though some protocols use single trials to minimize handling stress. Pilot studies should establish optimal trial number for your specific research model.
What factors can influence test performance beyond motor function?
Body weight, age, sex, previous handling experience, environmental stress, and motivation levels can all affect performance. Standardize these variables and include appropriate controls in experimental design.
How should the apparatus be cleaned between animals?
Clean rods with 70% ethanol or appropriate disinfectant and allow complete drying between animals to prevent transmission of pathogens and eliminate olfactory cues that might affect performance.
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