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ConductVision Gait Analysis and Tracking Metrics

ConductVision’s gait analysis software monitors mouse movement in real-time, delivering insights into motor function, neurological disorders, and recovery.

ConductScience GaitMaster gait analysis system for animal research

What We Measure

Gait analysis offers a powerful, non-invasive method for evaluating locomotor function in mice. ConductVision’s advanced tracking and analysis software quantifies a wide array of metrics, providing researchers with high-precision tools to assess motor health, neurological recovery, and experimental outcomes.

Key Gait Metrics Measured by ConductVision

  • Gait Symmetry

  • Stride Length

  • Stance vs. Swing Phase

  • Paw Placement and Base of Support

  • Paw Angle

  • Interlimb Coordination

1. Gait Symmetry

Gait symmetry refers to the balance between the movements of left and right limbs. It’s vital in evaluating neurological health, motor coordination, and injury recovery. Symmetrical gait indicates normal motor control, while asymmetry may suggest pain, spinal injury, or cortical damage.

Metrics Considered:

Parameter Description
Stride Length
Distance each paw travels per step
Stance Time
Duration paw remains in contact with the ground
Swing Time
Time paw is in the air between steps
Duty Cycle
% of gait cycle in stance phase
Interlimb Coordination
Timing patterns between left and right paws

2. Stride Length

Stride length is defined as the distance between two placements of the same paw. Healthy adult mice typically show 6–7 cm stride lengths. Deviations may indicate motor disorders, pain, or neurodegeneration.

Diagram showing two strides in gait analysis of a mouse, including paw positions (LF, RF, RR, LR), stride length, paw angle in degrees, and paw area in cm²

3. Stance vs. Swing Phase

Stance Phase:

  • Paw in contact with ground (~70% of cycle)

  • Involves braking and propulsion

Swing Phase:

  • Paw lifted and moves forward (~30% of cycle)

  • Prepares for next stance

Abnormal Patterns:

  • ↑ Stance: Instability, weakness

  • ↓ Stance: Pain or injury avoidance

  • ↑ Swing: Reluctance or dragging

  • ↓ Swing: Rigidity or bradykinesia

Graph showing changes in paw contact area over time during gait analysis, illustrating stride, stance, swing, braking, and propulsion phases with overlapping bell curves.

4. Paw Placement & Base of Support

Paw placement includes the precise and consistent alignment of fore- and hind-paws during gait. The base of support (distance between front or rear paws) helps determine postural balance.

Key Metrics:

  • Paw Angle

  • Overlap Distance

  • Print Area

  • Symmetry in Timing

Diagram showing mouse paw placement metrics for gait analysis, including fore–hind paw distance, overlap distance, print area, and paw angle.

5. Paw Angle

Healthy mice exhibit:

  • Forepaws: ~0–5°

  • Hindpaws: ~5–15°

Abnormal angles may indicate postural instability or motor deficits. Outward angles (toe-out) are typically normal for hind paws.

Diagram illustrating paw angle measurement in gait analysis of a mouse, showing two paw prints with a central axis and an angle θ (theta) between the actual and expected paw trajectory.

6. Interlimb Coordination

Refers to rhythmic alternation and timing of limb movements.

Expected Patterns:

  • Left-right hindlimb offset: ~180° ± 15°

  • Diagonal coupling: e.g., left fore ↔ right hind

  • Homolateral coupling: e.g., right fore ↔ right hind

Loss of coordination is often the first sign of spinal cord injury, neurodegeneration, or cortical dysfunction.

Diagram illustrating interlimb coordination during gait analysis with three examples: left–right hind offset (180°), diagonal coupling, and homolateral coupling, represented with paw prints and directional lines.

Gait-Related Conditions and Changes

Condition Expected Gait Changes Gait Pattern Name Cause
Stroke (MCAO)
Asymmetry, shorter stance/stride on one side
Hemiparetic gait
Cortical or motor tract damage
Sciatic Nerve Injury
Premature lifting, shorter stride, dragging
Antalgic gait
Unilateral nerve damage
Spinal Cord Injury
Hindlimb misalignment, delayed swing, paw slipping
Paraparetic gait
Disrupted coordination due to spinal lesions
Traumatic Brain Injury
Variable stride, favoring one side
Post-TBI unsteady gait
Subtle central motor impairment
Cerebellar Ataxia
Erratic stride, widened stance, irregular timing
Ataxic gait
Loss of cerebellar coordination
Parkinson’s Disease Models
Short, shuffling steps, increased stance, reduced stride
Parkinsonian gait
Dopaminergic neuron loss
Joint Inflammation
Shortened stance, prolonged swing, reduced contact
Pain-induced gait
Arthritis or inflammatory pain
Tumor/Bone Pain
Limp-like stepping, uneven stride
Guarded gait
Deep tissue discomfort
Muscular Dystrophy
Weak propulsion, dragging, toe drop
Toe-dragging gait
Progressive muscle weakening
ALS Models (e.g., SOD1-G93A)
Delayed contact, paw slipping, increased angle
Motor neuron disease gait
Neuronal degeneration
Sedatives or Anesthetics
Slowed, shortened stride, potential immobility
Drug-induced hypolocomotion
CNS suppression
Neurostimulants
Long or erratic strides
Hyperkinetic gait
CNS overstimulation
Alzheimer’s or Motor Knockouts
Reduced stride, cautious limb advancement
Neurodegenerative gait
Plaques or motor neuron damage
Aging
Slower steps, shorter stride, widened stance
Senile gait
Loss of strength and coordination
Stress/Anxiety
Shortened, erratic stride
Cautious gait
Defensive posture under stress
Obesity/Metabolic Syndrome
Slow walking, widened stance, prolonged ground contact
Guarded gait
Joint strain, altered center of mass

References

  1. Hampton TG, Stasko MR, Kale A, Amende I, Costa AC. Gait dynamics in trisomic mice: quantitative neurological traits of Down syndrome. Physiol Behav. 2004 Sep 15;82(2-3):381-9. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2004.04.006. PMID: 15276802.
  2. Fernagut, P. O., Diguet, E., Labattu, B., & Tison, F. (2002). A simple method to measure stride length as an index of nigrostriatal dysfunction in mice. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 113(2), 123-130. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-0270(01)00485-X
  3. Hetze, S., Römer, C., Teufelhart, C., Meisel, A., & Engel, O. (2012). Gait analysis as a method for assessing neurological outcome in a mouse model of stroke. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 206(1), 7–14. doi:10.1016/j.jneumeth.2012.02.00
  4. Pocratsky, A.M., Burke, D.A., Morehouse, J.R. et al. Reversible silencing of lumbar spinal interneurons unmasks a task-specific network for securing hindlimb alternation. Nat Commun 8, 1963 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-02033-x
  5. Ungvari, Z., Muranyi, M., Gulej, R., Negri, S., Nyul-Toth, A., Csik, B., Patai, R., Conley, S., Milan, M., Bagwell, J., Tarantini, A., Yabluchanskiy, A., Toth, P., Csiszar, A., Ungvari, A., Mukli, P., & Tarantini, S. (2024). Longitudinal detection of gait alterations associated with hypertension-induced cerebral microhemorrhages in mice: Predictive role of stride length and stride time asymmetry and increased gait entropy. GeroScience, 46(5), 4743. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-024-01210-3
  6. Fonio, E., & Feinerman, O. (2024). High mirror symmetry in mouse exploratory behavior. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 18, 1381852. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1381852