Back kinematics of healthy trotting horses during treadmill versus over ground locomotion

Álvarez, C. B. Gómez; Rhodin, Marie; Byström, Anna; Back, Willem; Weeren, P. R. van

doi:10.2746/042516409x397370

Cited by 35 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…According to own, unpublished data, ground reaction forces may vary on rough grounds by ±40% of the average values. Differences between these two conditions occur especially in the lumbar regions of the back (Álvarez, Rhodin, Byström, Back, & Weeren, 2009). Using a treadmill has advantages such as constant environment, speed and ground conditions; therefore, experiments promise to better repeatability (Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan & Clayton, 1999).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The biomechanical construction of the horse's body and activity patterns of three important muscles of the trunk in the walk, trot and canter

Kienapfel

Preuschoft

Wulf

et al. 2017

Animal Physiology Nutrition

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The activity patterns of trunk muscles are commonly neglected, in spite of their importance for maintaining body shape. Analysis of the biomechanics of the trunk under static conditions has led to predictions of the activity patterns. These hypotheses are tested experimentally by surface electromyography (EMG). Five horses, with and without a rider, were examined in the walk, trot and canter. Footfall was synchronised with EMG by an accelerometer. Averages of ten consecutive cycles were calculated and compared by statistical methods. The start and stop times of the muscle activities of 5-10 undisturbed EMG plots were determined and the averages and standard deviations calculated. In walking, muscle activities are minor. Electromyography (EMG) activity was increased in the m. rectus during the three-limb support. When the bending moments assume their greatest values, for example while the horses' mass is accelerated upward (two times earth acceleration) in the diagonal support phases in trot and canter the m. rectus, connecting the sternum with the pubic bone is most active. The m. obl. externus is most active when the torsional and bending moments are greatest during the same support phases, but not bilaterally, because the forces exerted on one side by the (recorded) m. obl. externus are transmitted on the other side by the (not recorded) m. obl. internus. While the hindlegs touch the ground in the trot and canter, ground reaction forces tend to flex the hip joint and the lumbar spine. Therefore, the vertebral column needs to be stabilised by the ipsilateral m. longissimus dorsi, which in fact can be observed. As a whole, our EMG data confirm exactly what has been predicted by theoretical analysis.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The biomechanical construction of the horse's body and activity patterns of three important muscles of the trunk in the walk, trot and canter

Kienapfel

Preuschoft

Wulf

et al. 2017

Animal Physiology Nutrition

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“…Our measurements were made over ground, not by using a treadmill (as Zsoldos et al. () did), because between these two forms of locomotion are only minor differences (Gomez Álvarez et al., ) and normal horses are used to walk over ground.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of three different head–neck positions on the average EMG activity of three important neck muscles in the horse

Kienapfel

2014

Animal Physiology Nutrition

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Summary The Knowledge of muscle activity in common head–neck positions (HNPs) is a necessary precondition for making judgements on HNPs. The aim of the study was to record the surface electromyography activities of important muscles of the horse's neck in various HNPs. The electrical activities of the m. splenius, brachiocephalicus and trapezius were recorded on both sides. Five horses, both with and without a rider, were examined in all three gaits on both hands in three different HNPs: a ‘free’ position, a ‘gathered’ (head higher, neck more flexed) position with the noseline in front of the vertical and a ‘hyperflexed’ position. Averages of ten consecutive gait cycles in each HNP were evaluated and compared by standard statistical methods. No difference between ridden and unridden horses could be detected. The m. brachiocephalicus was in the hyperflexed position in all gaits significantly (p < 0.01) more active than in the gathered and free position, which were not significantly different. By contrast, the m. splenius was in the hyperflexed position less active than in the free position (p < 0.02), in which it always showed the highest activity. In walking, the muscle activities in the free and gathered positions deviated significantly (p < 0.01). The m. trapezius was in the hyperflexed posture during walking significantly less active than in the free (p < 0.01) and gathered (p < 0.01) positions with the strongest activities in the free position. Again, the free and gathered positions differed significantly (p < 0.01). In trot, the same pattern occured, although the gathered and hyperflexed positions did not differ significantly. In the canter, the activities of the m. trapezius showed no differences between HNPs. In HNPs with the noseline in front of the vertical, the muscles of the topline (m. splenius, m. trapezius) are activated and trained. In the hyperflexed position, however, a major muscle of the lower topline (m. brachiocephalicus) is activated and trained.

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“…Since the EquiMoves system is designed for everyday use by a veterinarian, we performed experiments that best match that scenario. This precludes the use of a treadmill, for example, since that may influence the horse’s gait [ 35 , 36 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

EquiMoves: A Wireless Networked Inertial Measurement System for Objective Examination of Horse Gait

Bosch

Bragança

Marin-Perianu³

et al. 2018

Sensors

105

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In this paper, we describe and validate the EquiMoves system, which aims to support equine veterinarians in assessing lameness and gait performance in horses. The system works by capturing horse motion from up to eight synchronized wireless inertial measurement units. It can be used in various equine gait modes, and analyzes both upper-body and limb movements. The validation against an optical motion capture system is based on a Bland–Altman analysis that illustrates the agreement between the two systems. The sagittal kinematic results (protraction, retraction, and sagittal range of motion) show limits of agreement of ±2.3 degrees and an absolute bias of 0.3 degrees in the worst case. The coronal kinematic results (adduction, abduction, and coronal range of motion) show limits of agreement of −8.8 and 8.1 degrees, and an absolute bias of 0.4 degrees in the worst case. The worse coronal kinematic results are most likely caused by the optical system setup (depth perception difficulty and suboptimal marker placement). The upper-body symmetry results show no significant bias in the agreement between the two systems; in most cases, the agreement is within ±5 mm. On a trial-level basis, the limits of agreement for withers and sacrum are within ±2 mm, meaning that the system can properly quantify motion asymmetry. Overall, the bias for all symmetry-related results is less than 1 mm, which is important for reproducibility and further comparison to other systems.

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Back kinematics of healthy trotting horses during treadmill versus over ground locomotion

Abstract: Vertebral kinematics during treadmill locomotion is not identical to over ground locomotion, but the differences are minor. During treadmill locomotion lumbar motion is less, and caution should be therefore taken when interpreting lumbar kinematics.

Cited by 35 publications

References 36 publications

The biomechanical construction of the horse's body and activity patterns of three important muscles of the trunk in the walk, trot and canter

The biomechanical construction of the horse's body and activity patterns of three important muscles of the trunk in the walk, trot and canter

The effect of three different head–neck positions on the average EMG activity of three important neck muscles in the horse

EquiMoves: A Wireless Networked Inertial Measurement System for Objective Examination of Horse Gait

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