Architectural properties of distal forelimb muscles in horses, Equus caballus.
Abstract: Articular injuries in athletic horses are associated with large forces from ground impact and from muscular contraction. To accurately and noninvasively predict muscle and joint contact forces, a detailed model of musculoskeletal geometry and muscle architecture is required. Moreover, muscle architectural data can increase our understanding of the relationship between muscle structure and function in the equine distal forelimb. Muscle architectural data were collected from seven limbs obtained from five thoroughbred and thoroughbred-cross horses. Muscle belly rest length, tendon rest length, muscle volume, muscle fiber length, and pennation angle were measured for nine distal forelimb muscles. Physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) was determined from muscle volume and muscle fiber length. The superficial and deep digital flexor muscles displayed markedly different muscle volumes (227 and 656 cm3, respectively), but their PCSAs were very similar due to a significant difference in muscle fiber length (i.e., the superficial digital flexor muscle had very short fibers, while those of the deep digital flexor muscle were relatively long). The ulnaris lateralis and flexor carpi ulnaris muscles had short fibers (17.4 and 18.3 mm, respectively). These actuators were strong (peak isometric force, Fmax=5,814 and 4,017 N, respectively) and stiff (tendon rest length to muscle fiber length, LT:LMF=5.3 and 2.1, respectively), and are probably well adapted to stabilizing the carpus during the stance phase of gait. In contrast, the flexor carpi radialis muscle displayed long fibers (89.7 mm), low peak isometric force (Fmax=555 N), and high stiffness (LT:LMF=1.6). Due to its long fibers and low Fmax, flexor carpi radialis appears to be better adapted to flexion and extension of the limb during the swing phase of gait than to stabilization of the carpus during stance. Including muscle architectural parameters in a musculoskeletal model of the equine distal forelimb may lead to more realistic estimates not only of the magnitudes of muscle forces, but also of the distribution of forces among the muscles crossing any given joint.
Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Publication Date: 2003-08-09 PubMed ID: 12905538DOI: 10.1002/jmor.10113Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study explores the architecture of distal forelimb muscles in horses to better predict and understand how muscles and joints respond to impact forces. The findings provide important information about muscle structure and function, which could lead to more accurate musculoskeletal models for understanding horse performance and injury risk.
Research Methodology and Data Collection
- The researchers collected architectural data from the distal forelimb muscles of seven limbs from five different thoroughbred and thoroughbred-cross horses.
- They measured muscle belly rest length, tendon rest length, muscle volume, muscle fiber length, and pennation angle for nine different muscles in the distal forelimb area.
- The Physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA), an important determinant of muscle strength, was calculated using the collected muscle volume and muscle fiber length data.
Main Findings
- The superficial and deep digital flexor muscles, despite having significantly different muscle volumes, had similar PCSAs due to a significant difference in their muscle fiber lengths. The superficial flexor muscle had short fibers while the deep digital flexor muscle had relatively long fibers.
- The ulnaris lateralis and flexor carpi ulnaris muscles had short fibers. These muscles were strong and stiff, which suggests they may play a key role in stabilizing the carpus during the stance phase of the horse’s gait.
- On the other hand, the flexor carpi radialis muscle had long fibers, low peak isometric force but high stiffness. Because of these attributes, this muscle may be more involved in the flexion and extension of the limb during the swing phase of gait rather than stabilizing during the stance phase.
Implications of the Research
- This study provides a substantial understanding of the relationship between muscle structure and function in the equine distal forelimb.
- The data and insights can be used to create a more accurate and detailed musculoskeletal model of the equine distal forelimb, which may lead to more realistic estimates of the magnitude and distribution of muscle forces across different joints.
- This research contributes towards the understanding of horses’ athletic performance and injury risks, and could eventually lead to improved horse training and rehabilitation methods.
Cite This Article
APA
Brown NA, Kawcak CE, McIlwraith CW, Pandy MG.
(2003).
Architectural properties of distal forelimb muscles in horses, Equus caballus.
J Morphol, 258(1), 106-114.
https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.10113 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78712, USA. nick.brown@hsc.utah.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Forelimb / anatomy & histology
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Muscle, Skeletal / anatomy & histology
Citations
This article has been cited 16 times.- Charles J, Kissane R, Hoehfurtner T, Bates KT. From fibre to function: are we accurately representing muscle architecture and performance?. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022 Aug;97(4):1640-1676.
- Etienne C, Houssaye A, Hutchinson JR. Limb myology and muscle architecture of the Indian rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis and the white rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum (Mammalia: Rhinocerotidae). PeerJ 2021;9:e11314.
- MacLaren JA. Biogeography a key influence on distal forelimb variation in horses through the Cenozoic. Proc Biol Sci 2021 Jan 13;288(1942):20202465.
- MacLaren JA, McHorse BK. Comparative forelimb myology and muscular architecture of a juvenile Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus). J Anat 2020 Jan;236(1):85-97.
- Tsang AS, Dart AJ, Biasutti SA, Jeffcott LB, Smith MM, Little CB. Effects of tendon injury on uninjured regional tendons in the distal limb: An in-vivo study using an ovine tendinopathy model. PLoS One 2019;14(4):e0215830.
- Butcher MT, Chase PB, Hermanson JW, Clark AN, Brunet NM, Bertram JE. Contractile properties of muscle fibers from the deep and superficial digital flexors of horses. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2010 Oct;299(4):R996-R1005.
- Williams SB, Wilson AM, Daynes J, Peckham K, Payne RC. Functional anatomy and muscle moment arms of the thoracic limb of an elite sprinting athlete: the racing greyhound (Canis familiaris). J Anat 2008 Oct;213(4):373-82.
- Crook TC, Cruickshank SE, McGowan CM, Stubbs N, Wakeling JM, Wilson AM, Payne RC. Comparative anatomy and muscle architecture of selected hind limb muscles in the Quarter Horse and Arab. J Anat 2008 Feb;212(2):144-52.
- Birch HL. Tendon matrix composition and turnover in relation to functional requirements. Int J Exp Pathol 2007 Aug;88(4):241-8.
- Williams SB, Wilson AM, Payne RC. Functional specialisation of the thoracic limb of the hare (Lepus europeus). J Anat 2007 Apr;210(4):491-505.
- Williams SB, Payne RC, Wilson AM. Functional specialisation of the pelvic limb of the hare (Lepus europeus). J Anat 2007 Apr;210(4):472-90.
- Payne RC, Hutchinson JR, Robilliard JJ, Smith NC, Wilson AM. Functional specialisation of pelvic limb anatomy in horses (Equus caballus). J Anat 2005 Jun;206(6):557-74.
- Payne RC, Veenman P, Wilson AM. The role of the extrinsic thoracic limb muscles in equine locomotion. J Anat 2005 Feb;206(2):193-204.
- Payne RC, Veenman P, Wilson AM. The role of the extrinsic thoracic limb muscles in equine locomotion. J Anat 2004 Dec;205(6):479-90.
- Brown NA, Pandy MG, Kawcak CE, McIlwraith CW. Force- and moment-generating capacities of muscles in the distal forelimb of the horse. J Anat 2003 Jul;203(1):101-13.
- van Bijlert PA, Geijtenbeek T, Smit IH, Schulp AS, Bates KT. Muscle-Driven Predictive Physics Simulations of Quadrupedal Locomotion in the Horse. Integr Comp Biol 2024 Sep 27;64(3):694-714.
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