Biomechanical characterization of the IGP scaling wall in German Shepherd working dogs: Implications for landing mechanics and joint loading

The scaling wall represents one of the most technically demanding exercises within the IGP working dog program, as it combines successive phases of acceleration, vertical jumping, support at the apex, and descent to the ground, imposing high kinematic and mechanical demands on the locomotor system. However, the biomechanics of this exercise remain poorly documented. The aim of this study was to describe the kinematic and energetic characteristics of the first phase of the exercise on scaling wall in German Shepherd dogs trained for IGP. Eleven dogs were evaluated using high-speed bidimensional video analysis with Kinovea. This first passage exercise was divided into three phases: (1) ground-to-scaling wall, (2) wall-to-apex transition, and (3) descent and landing. Velocities, angles, and derived energetic and mechanical variables were analyzed. The three phases showed different descriptive patterns in their kinematic and estimated mechanical parameters. Initial takeoff (J1) was characterized by greater horizontal velocity and estimated mechanical power than ramp propulsion (J2), whereas J2 showed particularly high dispersion in vertical velocity (CV = 79.0%). During landing (J3), estimated power absorption exhibited substantial dispersion (CV = 37.8%), contrasting with the relatively low variability in peak carpal angle (CV = 2.5%). Exploratory correlation analysis identified associations among selected mechanical estimates, although these were partly attributable to shared mathematical inputs. These findings provide preliminary phase-specific biomechanical reference data for the IGP scaling wall and identify aspects of ramp propulsion and landing that warrant further investigation using direct kinetic measurements.