A novel method to estimate the stiffness of the equine back.
Abstract: Diagnosis of back problems in equine orthopedics can be a difficult task. The aim of our study was to develop a new method for estimating the stiffness of the equine back in vivo. We measured the activity of the long back muscle at two locations on both sides at thoracic vertebrae T12 and T16 of 15 horses flexing and extending their back at stance using telemetric surface electromyography, while simultaneously recording the motion of the back with a video camera system. Out of these paired data sets we computed a transfer function in the frequency domain and evaluated its capability of capturing the biomechanical behavior. The transfer function was evaluated via correlation between calculated and actual motion resulting in correlation coefficients of 0.89 for lateral flexion and 0.83 for ventral extension at T16 and 0.82 for lateral flexion and 0.83 for ventral extension at T12. The transfer function was fitted to a filter polynomial of second order, and related to the motion equation. By comparison of coefficients we gained an estimate for the stiffness of the back resulting in a mean value of approximately 6100 N/m for lateral flexion and 650 N/m for ventral extension. This new method enables clinicians in equine orthopedics to estimate back stiffness in horses, and it also provides reality grounded values for biomechanical models of the equine back.
Publication Date: 2005-11-08 PubMed ID: 16288761DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2005.09.019Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research article discusses a new approach for estimating the stiffness of a horse’s back, which can aid in diagnosing back issues in horses. Using a combination of electromyography and video recording, the researchers developed a transfer function that correlates the activity of a horse’s back muscles with its motion, providing a reliable measure of back stiffness.
Methodology
- The research team developed a system involving telemetric surface electromyography and a video camera recording system, focused on measuring the activity in a horse’s long back muscle.
- Measurements were taken at two points on either side of the horse’s back (thoracic vertebrae T12 and T16) as the horse flexed and extended in position.
- The research team then used the paired data from these measurements to compute a transfer function in the frequency domain, aiming to accurately capture the biomechanical behavior.
Analysis and Evaluation
- The efficacy of the transfer function was evaluated by correlating the calculated and actual movements of the horse’s back. Reliability was good, with correlation coefficients of 0.89 for lateral flexion and 0.83 for ventral extension at T16; and 0.82 for lateral flexion and 0.83 for ventral extension at T12.
- The transfer function was then fitted into a second-order filter polynomial and connected with the movement equation.
- The researchers then compared coefficients, allowing them to estimate the stiffness of the horse’s back. The average result was approximately 6100 N/m for lateral flexion and 650 N/m for ventral extension.
Conclusions
- This new method provides a reliable and efficient way for clinicians in equine orthopedics to gauge the stiffness of a horse’s back, aiding the diagnosis and treatment of back issues in horses.
- The felt values provided in this study are rooted in reality, making them a beneficial tool for developing biomechanical models of the equine back.
Cite This Article
APA
Peham C, Schobesberger H.
(2005).
A novel method to estimate the stiffness of the equine back.
J Biomech, 39(15), 2845-2849.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2005.09.019 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Clinic of Orthopedics in Ungulates, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Wien, Austria. Christian.Peham@vu-wien.ac.at
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Back / physiology
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Horses / physiology
- Methods
- Movement / physiology
- Range of Motion, Articular / physiology
- Veterinary Medicine / methods
- Video Recording
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Dietrich J, Handschuh S, Steidl R, Böhler A, Forstenpointner G, Egerbacher M, Peham C, Schöpper H. Muscle Fibre Architecture of Thoracic and Lumbar Longissimus Dorsi Muscle in the Horse.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 23;11(3).
- Sénèque E, Lesimple C, Morisset S, Hausberger M. Could posture reflect welfare state? A study using geometric morphometrics in riding school horses.. PLoS One 2019;14(2):e0211852.
- Sénèque E, Morisset S, Lesimple C, Hausberger M. Testing optimal methods to compare horse postures using geometric morphometrics.. PLoS One 2018;13(10):e0204208.
- Valentin S, Zsoldos RR. Surface electromyography in animal biomechanics: A systematic review.. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2016 Jun;28:167-83.
- Fureix C, Hausberger M, Seneque E, Morisset S, Baylac M, Cornette R, Biquand V, Deleporte P. Geometric morphometrics as a tool for improving the comparative study of behavioural postures.. Naturwissenschaften 2011 Jul;98(7):583-92.
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