PURPOSE: To determine the effects of DOX treatment on rat hind-limb gait mechanics, with specific focus on the acceleration of the limb and spatiotemporal characteristics of gait. METHODS: Fifteen adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned and injected with saline, 10 mg/kg DOX, 12.5 mg/kg DOX, or 15 mg/kg DOX delivered as a bolus i.p. injection. Retro-reflective markers were positioned on the left hind-limb at the knee, ankle and foot. RESULTS: Spatiotemporal measures were not significantly altered by DOX injections (Lambda*=0.59, F sub(3,10) =2.31, p=0.14). However, DOX injections did affect limb accelerations (Lambda*=0.08, F sub(3,10) =6.96, p=0.02). Follow-up Helmert contrasts revealed decreased accelerations in ankle vertical motion (-13%, p=0.002, ES=1.07), foot horizontal motion (-5%, p=0.04, ES=0.27), and foot vertical motion (-14%, p=0.001, ES=0.97) for all dose groups compared to the saline group. However, dose magnitude had no effect beyond the baseline comparison (p > 0.25 for all contrasts).