Date of Award

8-2018

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Health and Human Performance

Program

Exercise Science (MS)

First Advisor/Chairperson

Sarah Clarke

Abstract

Canicross is competitive team sport in which a human athlete is towed via a canine athlete on an elastic gangline. Although drastically understudied, it is likely that canicross performance comes down to differences in human aspects, canine aspects and the interaction between human and canine. The purpose of this study is to identify and assess the influences of several performance factors on a time trial canicross event. Survey data was taken upon arrival at the event. During the event, video was taken at five locations along the trail of two different competitive canicross events. Correlation analysis was used to identify relationships between all independent variables taken from survey and video data. Further, a multiple linear regression analysis was used to predict time-trial performance and a one-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine differences in synchronization scores across locations. The results of this study found significant correlations between performance and the time spent in training without the dog, as well as, normal dog position. Regression analysis revealed that performance can be predicted via percentage of time spent in overall canine front left foot flight and overall human mid-stance, in relation to overall stride. Lastly, synchronization scores did not differ significantly across locations. Future research should continue to investigate optimal synchronization patterns in high-level canicross athletes.

Access Type

Open Access

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