Investigation of an Animal-in-Motion-Optical-Sensor System for Detecting Biomechanical Patterns in Variable Cattle Gaits

The primary objective of this study was to assess the use of an animal-in-motion-optical-sensor (AIMOS) system allowing for rapid, real-time assessment of variable biomechanical patterns in live cattle. Biomechanical patterns were categorized into groups of gait type and any variations (jump, trot, walk, slip, kick, run). Biomechanical patterns were measured (0 to 5 V) using a commercial, standard platform containing one AIMOS system. Fifty crossbred and purebred (n = 20, Angus; n = 10, Hereford; n = 10, Angus x Hereford) steers and heifers (n =50; average BW = 292.5 kg) were utilized in completely randomized design. Over a 2-d period, objective kinetics and subjective kinematics were collected and analyzed. Cattle were run multiple times per test day for a total of six runs. Individual cattle exited through a hydraulic chute from which they were guided down a walkway over the AIMOS platform. A signal base unit (SBU) and computer were placed by the chute to collect near real-time data through integrated fiber optic cabling. Kinetic analog measurements (ratio and amplitude of hoof-impacts and ground reaction forces (GRF)) and kinematics (estimated speed and stride length) were recorded from each steer and heifer. Selection variables based on steer and heifer physiological characterizations (breed, sex, and age) were used in linear mixed regression of repeated runs. Visual observations and video analysis were used for categorizing and classifying variable gait patterns after the 2-d period. Temperament traits (excitable, calm, hesitant) were evaluated visually. Temperature was recorded for each test day (min -6°C and max 4°C, respectively). Individual cattle AIMOS measurements were analyzed for each run, compared to video data and categorized into pattern groups. The AIMOS system demonstrated differences between and within cattle total vertical GRFs (P < 0.05) for variable gait types. No differences were noted for temperature effect. Overall, data suggests the AIMOS system could assess variable gait measurements in a repeated study for detecting cattle biomechanical patterns.