Journal of biomechanics.
Periodical
Physiology
Biomechanical Phenomena
Publisher:
Elsevier Science
Frequency: Twelve no. a year
Country: United States
Language: English
Author(s):
University of Michigan. Highway Safety Research Institute.
Start Year:1968 -
ISSN:
0021-9290 (Print)
1873-2380 (Electronic)
0021-9290 (Linking)
1873-2380 (Electronic)
0021-9290 (Linking)
Impact Factor
2.4
2022
| NLM ID: | 0157375 |
| (DNLM): | J14600000(s) |
| (OCoLC): | 01754470 |
| LCCN: | 79002206 |
| Classification: | W1 JO564T |
On the fracture toughness of equine metacarpi.
Journal of biomechanics
January 1, 1979
Volume 12, Issue 6 415-421 doi: 10.1016/0021-9290(79)90026-5
Alto A, Pope MH.No abstract available In vivo and analytical studies of forces and moments in equine long bones.
Journal of biomechanics
January 1, 1977
Volume 10, Issue 11/12 701-705 doi: 10.1016/0021-9290(77)90085-9
Rybicki EF, Mills EJ.No abstract available Letter: In vivo tendon tension and bone strain measurement and correlation.
Journal of biomechanics
January 1, 1975
Volume 8, Issue 1 87-88 doi: 10.1016/0021-9290(75)90047-0
Salmons S.No abstract available Mathematical and experimental studies on the mechanics of plated transverse fractures.
Journal of biomechanics
August 1, 1974
Volume 7, Issue 4 377-384 doi: 10.1016/0021-9290(74)90033-5
Rybicki EF, Simonen FA, Mills EJ, Hassler CR, Scoles P, Milne D, Weis EB.No abstract available In vivo tendon tension and bone strain measurement and correlation.
Journal of biomechanics
January 1, 1974
Volume 7, Issue 1 35-42 doi: 10.1016/0021-9290(74)90068-2
Barnes GR, Pinder DN.No abstract available A parametric analysis of bone fixation plates on fractured equine third metacarpal.
Journal of biomechanics
May 1, 1971
Volume 4, Issue 3 163-174 doi: 10.1016/0021-9290(71)90001-7
Ray DR, Ledbetter WB, Bynum D, Boyd CL.No abstract available Exercise-induced hyperthermia as a possible mechanism for tendon degeneration.
Journal of biomechanics
July 1, 1994
Volume 27, Issue 7 899-905 doi: 10.1016/0021-9290(94)90262-3
Wilson AM, Goodship AE.Mathematical modelling of tendon thermodynamics predicted that the temperature of the central core of the equine superficial digital flexor tendon would plateau at 11 degrees C above the tendon surface temperature during a sustained gallop. A mean temperature differential (between tendon core and surface) of 5.4 (S.E. +/- 1.0) degrees C was demonstrated in vivo in four horses. Peak intra-tendinous temperatures in the range 43-45 degrees C were recorded. Temperatures above 42.5 degrees C are known to result in fibroblast death in vitro [Hall (1988) Radiobiology for the Radiologist, 3rd Edn., pp... Read More
38
Inertial properties of Dutch Warmblood horses.
Journal of biomechanics
June 1, 1997
Volume 30, Issue 6 653-658 doi: 10.1016/s0021-9290(97)00005-5
Buchner HH, Savelberg HH, Schamhardt HC, Barneveld A.The complete set of three-dimensional inertial properties (mass, density, centre of mass, inertial tensor) was determined in 26 segments of six Dutch Warmblood horses. The measurements were performed with frozen segments similar to the procedure described by Lephart (1984, J. Biomechanics 17, 537-543). Based on these data linear regression models were developed for the estimation of inertial properties in living horses. The reproducibility of the dissection procedure was found to range between 2 and 9%. Both mean values and regression models are presented for all parameters. The mean standard ... Read More
37
A model equation for the prediction of mechanical internal work of terrestrial locomotion.
Journal of biomechanics
September 4, 1998
Volume 31, Issue 5 463-468 doi: 10.1016/s0021-9290(98)00038-4
Minetti AE.By refining a previously published model, a simple equation for the estimation of the mechanical internal work during locomotion is presented. The only input variables are the progression speed, the stride frequency and the duty factor, i.e. the fraction of the stride duration at which a foot is in contact with the ground. The inclusion of this last variable, easily measurable, allows to obtain a single equation for both walking and running. The model predictions have been compared with the mechanical internal work experimentally obtained on humans in several conditions: speeds (range 0.8-3.3 ... Read More
36
Bone stress in the horse forelimb during locomotion at different gaits: a comparison of two experimental methods.
Journal of biomechanics
January 1, 1983
Volume 16, Issue 8 565-576 doi: 10.1016/0021-9290(83)90107-0
Biewener AA, Thomason J, Goodship A, Lanyon LE.Longitudinal stresses acting in the cranial and caudal cortices of the radius and the dorsal and palmar cortices of the metacarpus in the horse were determined using two independent methods simultaneously. One approach involved the use of rosette strain gauges to record in vivo bone strain; the other involved filming the position of the horse's forelimb as it passed over a force plate. Agreement between the two analyses was better for the radius than for the metacarpus. Both methods showed the radius to be loaded primarily in sagittal bending, acting to place the caudal cortex in compression a... Read More
27
Accuracy and precision of hind limb foot contact timings of horses determined using a pelvis-mounted inertial measurement unit.
Journal of biomechanics
April 5, 2012
Volume 45, Issue 8 1522-1528 doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2012.03.014
Starke SD, Witte TH, May SA, Pfau T.Gait analysis using small sensor units is becoming increasingly popular in the clinical context. In order to segment continuous movement from a defined point of the stride cycle, knowledge about footfall timings is essential. We evaluated the accuracy and precision of foot contact timings of a defined limb determined using an inertial sensor mounted on the pelvis of ten horses during walk and trot at different speeds and in different directions. Foot contact was estimated from vertical velocity events occurring before maximum sensor roll towards the contralateral limb. Foot contact timings mat... Read More
27
Mechanical characterization of matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI®) grafts in an equine model at 53 weeks.
Journal of biomechanics
April 15, 2015
Volume 48, Issue 10 1944-1949 doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.04.010
Griffin DJ, Bonnevie ED, Lachowsky DJ, Hart JC, Sparks HD, Moran N, Matthews G, Nixon AJ, Cohen I, Bonassar LJ.There has been much interest in using autologous chondrocytes in combination with scaffold materials to aid in cartilage repair. In the present study, a total of 27 animals were used to compare the performance of matrix-assisted chondrocyte implantation (MACI®) using a collagen sponge as a chondrocyte delivery vehicle, the sponge membrane alone, and empty controls. A total of three distinct types of mechanical analyses were performed on repaired cartilage harvested from horses after 53 weeks of implantation: (1) compressive behavior of samples to measure aggregate modulus (HA) and hydraulic p... Read More
24
Evaluation of a subject-specific finite-element model of the equine metacarpophalangeal joint under physiological load.
Journal of biomechanics
October 18, 2013
Volume 47, Issue 1 65-73 doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2013.10.001
Harrison SM, Whitton RC, Kawcak CE, Stover SM, Pandy MG.The equine metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint is frequently injured, especially by racehorses in training. Most injuries result from repetitive loading of the subchondral bone and articular cartilage rather than from acute events. The likelihood of injury is multi-factorial but the magnitude of mechanical loading and the number of loading cycles are believed to play an important role. Therefore, an important step in understanding injury is to determine the distribution of load across the articular surface during normal locomotion. A subject-specific finite-element model of the MCP joint was devel... Read More
22
Calcium buffering is required to maintain bone stiffness in saline solution.
Journal of biomechanics
September 1, 1996
Volume 29, Issue 9 1191-1194 doi: 10.1016/0021-9290(96)00020-6
Gustafson MB, Martin RB, Gibson V, Storms DH, Stover SM, Gibeling J, Griffin L.This work determined whether mineral dissolution due to prolonged testing or storage of bone specimens in normal saline would alter their elastic modulus. In one experiment, small pieces of equine third metacarpal bone were soaked in normal saline supplemented with varying amounts of CaCl2. Changing Ca ion concentrations in the bath were monitored and the equilibrium concentration was determined. In a second experiment, the elastic moduli of twenty 4 x 10 x 100 mm equine third metacarpal beams were determined non-destructively in four-point bending. Half the beams were then soaked for 10 days ... Read More
20
Collagen fiber organization is related to mechanical properties and remodeling in equine bone. A comparison of two methods.
Journal of biomechanics
December 1, 1996
Volume 29, Issue 12 1515-1521
Martin RB, Lau ST, Mathews PV, Gibson VA, Stover SM.We studied birefringence as an indicator of collagen fiber orientation in the diaphysis of the equine third metacarpal bone. We had previously shown that tissue from the lateral cortex of this bone is stronger monotonically, but less fatigue resistant, than tissue from the medial and dorsal regions. To learn whether collagen fiber orientation might play a role in this regional specialization, we tested three hypotheses using the same specimens: (1) collagen fiber orientation is regionally dependent; (2) remodeling changes collagen fiber orientation; (3) longitudinal collagen fibers correlate p... Read More
20
The cryo-jaw, a clamp designed for in vitro rheology studies of horse digital flexor tendons.
Journal of biomechanics
January 1, 1982
Volume 15, Issue 8 619-620 doi: 10.1016/0021-9290(82)90073-2
Riemersa DJ, Schamhardt HC.A clamp designed for holding tendons in force/elongation studies is described. No slippage occurred when tensile forces up to 13,800 N were applied to horses digital flexor tendons fixed in this clamp. Read More
19
Anisotropic Poisson’s ratio and compression modulus of cortical bone determined by speckle interferometry.
Journal of biomechanics
March 24, 2006
Volume 40, Issue 2 252-264 doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2006.01.021
Shahar R, Zaslansky P, Barak M, Friesem AA, Currey JD, Weiner S.Young's modulus and Poisson's ratios of 6mm-sized cubes of equine cortical bone were measured in compression using a micro-mechanical loading device. Surface displacements were determined by electronic speckle pattern-correlation interferometry. This method allows for non-destructive testing of very small samples in water. Analyses of standard materials showed that the method is accurate and precise for determining both Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio. Material properties were determined concurrently in three orthogonal anatomic directions (axial, radial and transverse). Young's modulus va... Read More
19
True stress and Poisson’s ratio of tendons during loading.
Journal of biomechanics
November 26, 2010
Volume 44, Issue 4 719-724 doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2010.10.038
Vergari C, Pourcelot P, Holden L, Ravary-Plumioën B, Gerard G, Laugier P, Mitton D, Crevier-Denoix N.Excessive axial tension is very likely involved in the aetiology of tendon lesions, and the most appropriate indicator of tendon stress state is the true stress, the ratio of instantaneous load to instantaneous cross-sectional area (CSA). Difficulties to measure tendon CSA during tension often led to approximate true stress by assuming that CSA is constant during loading (i.e. by the engineering stress) or that tendon is incompressible, implying a Poisson's ratio of 0.5, although these hypotheses have never been tested. The objective of this study was to measure tendon CSA variation during qua... Read More
18
The mathematical description of the body centre of mass 3D path in human and animal locomotion.
Journal of biomechanics
April 3, 2011
Volume 44, Issue 8 1471-1477 doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2011.03.014
Minetti AE, Cisotti C, Mian OS.Although the 3D trajectory of the body centre of mass during ambulation constitutes the 'locomotor signature' at different gaits and speeds for humans and other legged species, no quantitative method for its description has been proposed in the literature so far. By combining the mathematical discoveries of Jean Baptiste Joseph Fourier (1768-1830, analysis of periodic events) and of Jules Antoine Lissajous (1822-1880, parametric equation for closed loops) we designed a method simultaneously capturing the spatial and dynamical features of that 3D trajectory. The motion analysis of walking and r... Read More
18
Reliable and clinically applicable gait event classification using upper body motion in walking and trotting horses.
Journal of biomechanics
November 21, 2020
Volume 114 110146 doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.110146
Roepstorff C, Dittmann MT, Arpagaus S, Serra Bragança FM, Hardeman A, Persson-Sjödin E, Roepstorff L, Gmel AI, Weishaupt MA.Objectively assessing horse movement symmetry as an adjunctive to the routine lameness evaluation is on the rise with several commercially available systems on the market. Prerequisites for quantifying such symmetries include knowledge of the gait and gait events, such as hoof to ground contact patterns over consecutive strides. Extracting this information in a robust and reliable way is essential to accurately calculate many kinematic variables commonly used in the field. In this study, optical motion capture was used to measure 222 horses of various breeds, performing a total of 82 664 steps... Read More
16
The effect of centre of mass location on sagittal plane moments around the centre of mass in trotting horses.
Journal of biomechanics
February 21, 2014
Volume 47, Issue 6 1278-1286 doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2014.02.024
Hobbs SJ, Richards J, Clayton HM.The diagonal limb support pattern at trot provides pitch and roll stability, but little is known about the control of moments about the centre of mass (COM) in horses. Correct COM location is critical in the calculation of pitching moments. The objectives were to determine the effect of COM location on pitching moments in trotting horses and explore how COM location could influence balance. Kinematic (120 Hz) and GRF (4 force plates, 960 Hz) data were collected at trot from three trials of eight horses. The position of the COM was determined from the weighted summation of the segmental COMs an... Read More
15
Osteonal effects on elastic modulus and fatigue life in equine bone.
Journal of biomechanics
January 26, 2005
Volume 39, Issue 2 217-225 doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2004.12.002
Gibson VA, Stover SM, Gibeling JC, Hazelwood SJ, Martin RB.We hypothesized that recently formed, incompletely mineralized, and thus, relatively deformable osteons in the equine third metacarpus enhance in vitro load-controlled fatigue life in two ways. Macroscopically, there is a compliance effect, because reduced tissue elastic modulus diminishes the stress required to reach a given strain. Microscopically, there is a cement line effect, in which new osteons and their cement lines more effectively serve as barriers to crack propagation. We studied 18 4 x 10 x 100 mm beams from the medial, lateral, and dorsal cortices of metacarpal bones from 6 thorou... Read More
15
Effect of the rider position during rising trot on the horse׳s biomechanics (back and trunk kinematics and pressure under the saddle).
Journal of biomechanics
February 15, 2016
Volume 49, Issue 7 1027-1033 doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2016.02.016
Martin P, Cheze L, Pourcelot P, Desquilbet L, Duray L, Chateau H.Knowledge about the horse-saddle-rider interaction remains limited. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the rider׳s position at rising trot on the pressure distribution, spine movements, stirrups forces and locomotion of the horse. The horse׳s back movements were measured using IMUs fixed at the levels of thoracic (T6, T12, T16) and lumbar (L2, L5) vertebrae, the pressure distribution using a pressure mat and stirrups forces using force sensors. The horse׳s and rider׳s approximated centres of mass (COM) were calculated using 2D reflective markers. To compare both trot phases... Read More
14
Characterizing bone strain distributions in vivo using three triple rosette strain gages.
Journal of biomechanics
September 1, 1992
Volume 25, Issue 9 1081-1087 doi: 10.1016/0021-9290(92)90044-2
Gross TS, McLeod KJ, Rubin CT.Three triple-element rosette strain gages were attached to the equine third metacarpal midshaft to record site-specific strains engendered by locomotion. The distribution of strains acting upon the midshaft cross section were characterized using a combined beam theory and finite element model analysis that did not presume the manner by which the bone was inertially loaded. A medium-speed trot (3.6 ms-1) was chosen as a representative speed and gait, with normal and shear strains, and strain energy density (SED) distributions determined throughout the stance and subsequent swing phase. Importan... Read More
14
Fetlock joint kinematics differ with age in Thoroughbred [was thoroughbred] racehorses.
Journal of biomechanics
April 17, 2002
Volume 35, Issue 5 563-571 doi: 10.1016/s0021-9290(01)00223-8
Butcher MT, Ashley-Ross MA.Fetlock joint kinematics during galloping in 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old Thoroughbreds in race training were quantified to determine if differences due to age could account for the observation that 2-year old Thoroughbred racehorses incur a high number of injuries to the bones and soft tissues in the distal forelimbs during training and at the outset of racing. Twelve Thoroughbred racehorses were videotaped in the sagittal plane at 250 frames/s during their daily galloping workout on a 7/8 mile sand-surface training track. Four galloping strides were recorded for each horse and subsequently dig... Read More
12
Chondroitin sulphate glycosaminoglycans contribute to widespread inferior biomechanics in tendon after focal injury.
Journal of biomechanics
June 6, 2016
Volume 49, Issue 13 2694-2701 doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2016.06.006
Choi RK, Smith MM, Martin JH, Clarke JL, Dart AJ, Little CB, Clarke EC.Both mechanical and structural properties of tendon change after injury however the causal relationship between these properties is presently unclear. This study aimed to determine the extent of biomechanical change in post-injury tendon pathology and whether the sulphated glycosaminoglycans (glycosaminoglycans) present are a causal factor in these changes. Equine superficial digital flexor tendons (SDF tendons) were surgically-injured in vivo (n=6 injured, n=6 control). Six weeks later they were harvested and regionally dissected into twelve regions around the lesion (equal medial/lateral, pr... Read More
12
Equine cortical bone exhibits rising R-curve fracture mechanics.
Journal of biomechanics
January 28, 2003
Volume 36, Issue 2 191-198 doi: 10.1016/s0021-9290(02)00362-7
Malik CL, Stover SM, Martin RB, Gibeling JC.Previous studies of the fracture properties of cortical bone have suggested that the fracture toughness increases with crack length, which is indicative of rising R-curve behavior. Based on this indirect evidence and the similarity of bone to ceramic matrix composites, we hypothesized that bone would exhibit rising R-curve behavior in the transverse orientation and that the characteristics of the R-curves would be regionally dependent within the cortex due to variations in bone microstructure and toughening mechanisms. To test these hypotheses, we conducted R-curve experiments on specimens fro... Read More
12
Vertical forces on the horse’s back in sitting and rising trot.
Journal of biomechanics
November 18, 2009
Volume 43, Issue 4 627-631 doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.10.036
de Cocq P, Duncker AM, Clayton HM, Bobbert MF, Muller M, van Leeuwen JL.In equestrian sports, it is generally assumed that rising and sitting trot load the horse's back differently. The objective of this study was to quantify the load on the horse's back in these riding techniques. Kinematic data of 13 riders were collected in rising and sitting trot. The time-history of the position of the rider's centre of mass (CoM) was calculated, and differentiated twice to obtain the acceleration of the CoM. The reaction force between the rider and the horse's back was calculated from the acceleration. Forces were divided by the body weight of the rider to obtain dimensionle... Read More
12
Simulation of quadrupedal locomotion using a rigid body model.
Journal of biomechanics
January 1, 1989
Volume 22, Issue 1 33-41 doi: 10.1016/0021-9290(89)90182-6
van den Bogert AJ, Schamhardt HC, Crowe A.Locomotion of the horse is simulated using a mathematical model based on rigid body dynamics. A general method to generate the equations of motion for a two-dimensional rigid body model with an arbitrary number of hinge joints is presented and a numerical solution method, restricted to tree-structured models, is described. Joint movements originating from muscular forces or moments are simulated, but the method also allows that parts of the model follow strictly the pattern of kinematic data. Moment-generators with first-order linear feedback were used as a rotational muscle-equivalent. Ground... Read More
12
The fracture toughness of cancellous bone.
Journal of biomechanics
July 29, 2009
Volume 42, Issue 13 2054-2060 doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.06.001
Cook RB, Zioupos P.The mechanical capacity and integrity of cancellous bone is crucial in osteoporosis, a condition which is set to become more prevalent with increasing lifespan and population sizes. The fracture toughness (FT) of cancellous bone has never been examined before and the conditions associated with the growth of a major crack through the lattice of cancellous bone, a cellular solid, may improve our understanding for structural integrity of this material. The aim of this study is to provide (i) basic data on cancellous bone FT and (ii) the experimental support for the hypothesis of Gibson, L.J., Ash... Read More
12
Biomechanical evaluation of the equine masticatory action: calculation of the masticatory forces occurring on the cheek tooth battery.
Journal of biomechanics
December 3, 2008
Volume 42, Issue 1 67-70 doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2008.09.040
Huthmann S, Staszyk C, Jacob HG, Rohn K, Gasse H.The forces generated during equine mastication influence the teeth, as well as the periodontium, the jaw bones, the temporomandibular joints and materials used in dental therapy. Due to the limited accessibility of the cheek teeth located farther caudal in the equine oral cavity the measurement of the masticatory forces on these teeth is virtually impossible. The calculation of such forces is an appropriate, indirect alternative to direct measuring. Hence, a mathematical model, which respects several morphological features of the equine dentition, e.g. the Curve of Spee, is presented. The rele... Read More
11
A non-invasive method of tendon force measurement.
Journal of biomechanics
August 9, 2005
Volume 38, Issue 10 2124-2129 doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2004.09.012
Pourcelot P, Defontaine M, Ravary B, Lemâtre M, Crevier-Denoix N.The ability to measure the forces exerted in vivo on tendons and, consequently, the forces produced by muscles on tendons, offers a unique opportunity to investigate questions in disciplines as varied as physiology, biomechanics, orthopaedics and neuroscience. Until now, tendon loads could be assessed directly only by means of invasive sensors implanted within or attached to these collagenous structures. This study shows that the forces acting on tendons can be measured, in a non-invasive way, from the analysis of the propagation of an acoustic wave. Using the equine superficial digital flexor... Read More
11
Correlations between mean echogenicity and material properties of normal and diseased equine superficial digital flexor tendons: an in vitro segmental approach.
Journal of biomechanics
November 21, 2004
Volume 38, Issue 11 2212-2220 doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2004.09.026
Crevier-Denoix N, Ruel Y, Dardillat C, Jerbi H, Sanaa M, Collobert-Laugier C, Ribot X, Denoix JM, Pourcelot P.The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that tendon echogenicity is associated with the material properties of the corresponding tendon site, especially in case of lesions, due to local changes in tendon matrix composition. Four normal and nine spontaneously injured equine superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFT) were isolated then ultrasonographically examined under tension, in a special device placed in a water bath. Ultrasonographic transversal images (7.5MHz linear transducer) of five segments along each tendon were digitized, and analyzed in order to measure the mean cross... Read More
11
Osteon interfacial strength and histomorphometry of equine cortical bone.
Journal of biomechanics
July 12, 2005
Volume 39, Issue 9 1629-1640 doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2005.05.006
Bigley RF, Griffin LV, Christensen L, Vandenbosch R.The interfacial strength of secondary osteons from the diaphysis of the Thoroughbred equine third metacarpal was evaluated using the fiber pushout test. The pushout was performed on 300-500 microm sections of 4x4x15 mm bone blocks machined from four anatomic regions of the cortex. Pushout strength was evaluated from proximal to distal location within the diaphysis on four osteon types classified under polarized light on adjacent histologic sections from each block. The shear strength of the interfaces were estimated from shear lag theory. Differences were found in the interfacial strength of o... Read More
10
Fourier analysis of trunk displacements: a method to identify the lame limb in trotting horses.
Journal of biomechanics
August 7, 2002
Volume 35, Issue 9 1173-1182 doi: 10.1016/s0021-9290(02)00089-1
Audigié F, Pourcelot P, Degueurce C, Geiger D, Denoix JM.The aim of this paper is to present a method allowing the identification of the lame limb in trotting horses. Using a 3-D kinematic analysis system, 13 sound and 25 lame horses fitted with 4 skin markers placed on the dorsal midline of their trunk were recorded while trotting on a track in the conditions of the routine lameness examination. The vertical displacements of the trunk markers underwent Fourier analysis. Results indicated that these displacements could be represented using only the first and second harmonics. From these two harmonics, indices were then developed. The sensitivity of ... Reproducibility of a non-invasive ultrasonic technique of tendon force measurement, determined in vitro in equine superficial digital flexor tendons.
Journal of biomechanics
July 31, 2009
Volume 42, Issue 13 2210-2213 doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.06.005
Crevier-Denoix N, Ravary-Plumioën B, Evrard D, Pourcelot P.A non-invasive ultrasonic (US) technique of tendon force measurement has been recently developed. It is based on the relationship demonstrated between the speed of sound (SOS) in a tendon and the traction force applied to it. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the variability of this non-linear relationship among 7 equine superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendons, and the reproducibility of SOS measurements in these tendons over successive loading cycles and tests. Seven SDF tendons were equipped with an US probe (1MHz), secured in contact with the skin overlying the tendon me...