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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Application of kinesiology taping to equine abdominal muscul...
Equine veterinary journal2021; 54(5); 973-978; doi: 10.1111/evj.13533

Application of kinesiology taping to equine abdominal musculature in a tension frame for muscle facilitation increases longitudinal activity at the trot.

Abstract: Kinesiology taping (KT) has been used on human subjects for many years. More recently, KT has been used in sport horses. The physiological mechanisms involved remain unclear and its benefits are controversial. Objective: To investigate the effects of application of kinesiology taping to abdominal muscles on locomotor parameters before and after lungeing exercise in horses. Methods: Cross-over study. Methods: Eleven horses were tested twice, once with an application of KT without tension on abdominal muscles (condition 1) and once with a facilitation application of KT on abdominal muscles (condition 2). A triaxial accelerometric device, located in the trunk (Equimetrix system® ), was used at walk and trot in hand on a straight line before (30 min after the KT application) and after a lungeing session. Locomotor parameters were calculated, including stride frequency, regularity and symmetry, dorsoventral displacement and dorsoventral, mediolateral and longitudinal activities. Results: At trot, the longitudinal activity was significantly higher for condition 2 than for condition 1, before (7.6 ± 1.8 W/kg vs. 5.4 ± 2.2 W/kg, P = .02) and after (7.3 ± 1.3 W/kg vs. 6.1 ± 1.7 W/kg, P = .005) the lungeing session. Conclusions: The speed was not measured. The recording conditions and the experimenter, unaware of conditions, were the same for all horses to limit variations. Conclusions: Kinesiology taping on abdominal muscles immediately increased longitudinal activity at trot in hand and this benefit was still present after a lungeing session. Longitudinal activity is a sought-after quality; thus, this method could be used as a way to enhance a training program. Future investigations are needed to confirm this result in horses being ridden.
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Publication Date: 2021-11-11 PubMed ID: 34719053DOI: 10.1111/evj.13533Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research explores the effects of <a href="/kinesiology-taping-for-horses/" title="Kinesiology Taping for Horses: Benefits & Uses in Equine Rehabilitation“>kinesiology taping (KT) on the abdominal muscles of horses to improve locomotion. The study finds that KT application increases longitudinal activity in the trot, which implies it may potentially improve the training regime of horses.

Introduction to Kinesiology Taping on Horses

  • The concept of kinesiology taping, a practice widely used in humans for years, is being explored for its potential application on horses.
  • Even though KT is increasingly used on sport horses, the physiological implications and benefits are still debated.

Objective of the Study

  • The research aims to discern the effects of applying kinesiology taping to a horse’s abdominal muscles on its locomotion, both before and after a lungeing exercise.

Research Methodology

  • A cross-over study was conducted involving eleven horses, which were tested on separate occasions.
  • Each horse was subjected to two different conditions: one where KT with no tension was applied to their abdominal muscles, and the other where KT was applied with a facilitation or tension to the same area.
  • To measure the locomotion, a triaxial accelerometric device (Equimetrix system) was utilized. It was positioned in the horse’s trunk and measurements were done while the horses were walking and trotting on a straight line.
  • This was done before and after a lungeing session, which occurred 30 minutes after the KT application.

Research Findings

  • Several different locomotion parameters including stride frequency, regularity, symmetry, and dorsoventral displacement, along with dorsoventral, mediolateral, and longitudinal activities were calculated.
  • The study found the longitudinal activity at the trot to be notably higher under condition 2 (KT with tension) than in condition 1 (KT without tension).

Limitations and Conclusions

  • Despite the findings, the research study did not measure speed.
  • Both the recording conditions and the person conducting the experiment, unaware of each condition to keep the results unbiased, were consistent for all the horses in the study to reduce variation.
  • The study concludes that applying KT to a horse’s abdominal muscles does increase longitudinal activity immediately and keeps the effect even after a lungeing session.
  • The authors also suggest that as longitudinal activity is desirable, this method could be incorporated into a training program.
  • The research suggests that more investigations are required to further confirm these results, specifically in praxis with ridden horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Biau S, Burgaud I. (2021). Application of kinesiology taping to equine abdominal musculature in a tension frame for muscle facilitation increases longitudinal activity at the trot. Equine Vet J, 54(5), 973-978. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13533

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 54
Issue: 5
Pages: 973-978

Researcher Affiliations

Biau, Sophie
  • Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation, Avenue de l'école nationale d'équitation, Saumur, France.
Burgaud, Isabelle
  • Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation, Avenue de l'école nationale d'équitation, Saumur, France.

MeSH Terms

  • Abdominal Muscles
  • Accelerometry / veterinary
  • Animals
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Gait / physiology
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Sports

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