Determination of passive mechanical properties of the superficial and deep digital flexor muscle-ligament-tendon complexes in the forelimbs of horses

Swanstrom, Michael D.; Stover, Susan M.; Hubbard, Mont; Hawkins, David

doi:10.2460/ajvr.2004.65.188

Cited by 23 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…The ligaments were represented as passive elastic structures. The force-length curve of each tendon and ligament was modeled by fitting a third-order polynomial function to experimental data reported in the literature (Jansen et al, 1993a;Jansen et al, 1998;Kostyuk et al, 2004;Lochner et al, 1980;Meershoek et al, 2001;Swanstrom et al, 2004;Swanstrom et al, 2005a;Swanstrom et al, 2005b;Weller, 2006). The lengths, moment arms and tendon wrapping directions of each muscle and ligament were calculated using a software program called OpenSim (Delp et al, 2007).…”

Section: Musculoskeletal Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most notably, the two digital flexor muscle-tendon units have accessory ligaments (ALs) that generate forces in addition to the forces developed by the muscle-tendon units alone (Swanstrom et al, 2004). These ligaments insert near to the musculotendinous junction and connect the tendon to the palmar aspect of the carpus (from the DDF) or the caudal radius (from the SDF).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Relationship between muscle forces, joint loading and utilization of elastic strain energy in equine locomotion

Harrison

Whitton

Kawcak

et al. 2010

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARYStorage and utilization of strain energy in the elastic tissues of the distal forelimb of the horse is thought to contribute to the excellent locomotory efficiency of the animal. However, the structures that facilitate elastic energy storage may also be exposed to dangerously high forces, especially at the fastest galloping speeds. In the present study, experimental gait data were combined with a musculoskeletal model of the distal forelimb of the horse to determine muscle and joint contact loading and muscle-tendon work during the stance phase of walking, trotting and galloping. The flexor tendons spanning the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint -specifically, the superficial digital flexor (SDF), interosseus muscle (IM) and deep digital flexor (DDF) -experienced the highest forces. Peak forces normalized to body mass for the SDF were 7.3±2.1, 14.0±2.5 and 16.7±1.1Nkg -1 in walking, trotting and galloping, respectively. The contact forces transmitted by the MCP joint were higher than those acting at any other joint in the distal forelimb, reaching 20.6±2.8, 40.6±5.6 and 45.9±0.9Nkg -1 in walking, trotting and galloping, respectively. The tendons of the distal forelimb (primarily SDF and IM) contributed between 69 and 90% of the total work done by the muscles and tendons, depending on the type of gait. The tendons and joints that facilitate storage of elastic strain energy in the distal forelimb also experienced the highest loads, which may explain the high frequency of injuries observed at these sites.

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Section: Musculoskeletal Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship between muscle forces, joint loading and utilization of elastic strain energy in equine locomotion

Harrison

Whitton

Kawcak

et al. 2010

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…Loading of the passive structures of the distal forelimb has been the subject of frequent study (Biewener, 1998;Harrison et al, 2010;Jansen et al, 1993;Meershoek et al, 2001;Swanstrom et al, 2004;Swanstrom et al, 2005;Wilson et al, 2001); however, little is known about the coordination of active muscle contraction (Butcher et al, 2009;Hoyt et al, 2005;Jansen et al, 1992;Tokuriki et al, 1989). Muscle activation patterns have been predicted from calculations of net joint torques using biomechanical models of the forelimb (Harrison et al, 2010;Swanstrom et al, 2005;Wilson et al, 2001), but no study has validated these calculations against direct measurements obtained in vivo.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forelimb muscle activity during equine locomotion

Harrison

Whitton

King

et al. 2012

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARYFew quantitative data exist to describe the activity of the distal muscles of the equine forelimb during locomotion, and there is an incomplete understanding of the functional roles of the majority of the forelimb muscles. Based on morphology alone it would appear that the larger proximal muscles perform the majority of work in the forelimb, whereas the smaller distal muscles fulfil supplementary roles such as stabilizing the joints and positioning the limb for impact with the ground. We measured the timing and amplitude of the electromyographic activity of the intrinsic muscles of the forelimb in relation to the phase of gait (stance versus swing) and the torque demand placed on each joint during walking, trotting and cantering. We found that all forelimb muscles, except the extensor carpi radialis (ECR), were activated just prior to hoof-strike and deactivated during stance. Only the ECR was activated during swing. The amplitudes of muscle activation typically increased as gait speed increased. However, the amplitudes of muscle activation were not proportional to the net joint torques, indicating that passive structures may also contribute significantly to torque generation. Our results suggest that the smaller distal muscles help to stabilize the forelimb in early stance, in preparation for the passive structures (tendons and ligaments) to be stretched. The distal forelimb muscles remain active throughout stance only during canter, when the net torques acting about the distal forelimb joints are highest. The larger proximal muscles activate in a complex coordination to position and stabilize the shoulder and elbow joints during ground contact.

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“…2001). Swanstrom et al . (2004) demonstrated that the SDF muscle‐tendon complex has a relatively small active force component, suggesting a primary function in storing energy during loading.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ability of the SDF muscles to maintain a forceful contraction over a range of muscle fibre lengthening and shortening and properties of the collagen fibrils within the tendon, may influence the degree of strain placed on the SDF muscle and tendon during the stance phase (Zajac 1989; Brown et al . 2003; Swanstrom et al . 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differences in the metabolic properties ofgluteus mediusand superficial digital flexor muscles and the effect of water treadmill training in the horse

Borgia¹,

Valberg

Essén‐Gustavsson

2010

Equine Veterinary Journal

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SummaryReasons for performing study: Flexor tendon injury may be due to flexor muscle fatigue, contributing to fetlock joint hyperextension and tendon damage. A water treadmill provides resistance training on flexor tendon muscles, which might reduce the risk of tendon injury. Objective: To determine the effect of water treadmill training on the properties of the gluteal and superficial digital flexor (SDF) muscles and on cardiocirculatory response to a standardised exercise test. Methods: Five healthy unfit horses were trained on a water treadmill for 5 days/week for 4 weeks, starting with 5 min/day increasing to 20 min/day. Before and after the water treadmill training, an incremental SET was performed on a land treadmill to determine velocity at a heart rate 200 beats/min (V200) and resting gluteal and SDF muscle biopsies were obtained for biochemical analyses. Results: There was no measurable difference in resting concentrations of gluteal or SDF muscle glycogen, lactate, ATP or glucose-6-phosphate (G6P), or activities of citrate synthase (CS), 3-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase (HAD) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) after training and no change in V200, Lactate, glycogen, G6P and ATP concentrations were 50% lower and type 1 fibres 30% higher in SDF compared to gluteal muscles. CS and HAD activities were similar between SDF and gluteal, while LDH was lower in the SDF muscle. Conclusions: A more strenuous water treadmill conditioning protocol may be needed to induce a training effect in gluteal and SDF muscle and heart rate response. The low substrate concentrations and oxidative capacity of SDF may predispose this muscle to catastrophic fatigue during maximal exercise.evj_229 665..670

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Determination of passive mechanical properties of the superficial and deep digital flexor muscle-ligament-tendon complexes in the forelimbs of horses

Cited by 23 publications

References 20 publications

Relationship between muscle forces, joint loading and utilization of elastic strain energy in equine locomotion

Relationship between muscle forces, joint loading and utilization of elastic strain energy in equine locomotion

Forelimb muscle activity during equine locomotion

Differences in the metabolic properties ofgluteus mediusand superficial digital flexor muscles and the effect of water treadmill training in the horse

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