Back kinematics of healthy trotting horses during treadmill versus over ground locomotion.
Abstract: Treadmill locomotion is frequently used for training of sport horses, for diagnostic purposes and for research. Identification of the possible biomechanical differences and similarities between the back movement during treadmill (T) and over ground (O) locomotion is essential for the correct interpretation of research results. Objective: To compare the kinematics of the thoracolumbar vertebral column in treadmill and over ground locomotion in healthy horses. Methods: Six sound Dutch Warmblood horses trotted on a T and O during 10 s at their own preferred velocity (mean +/- s.d. 3.6 +/- 0.3 m/s T and 3.6 +/- 0.1 m/s O), which was the same in both conditions. Kinematics of the vertebral column was captured by infrared cameras using reflective skin markers attached over the spinous processes of selected vertebrae and other locations. Flexion-extension and lateral bending range of motion (ROM), angular motion pattern (AMP) and intravertebral pattern symmetry (IVPS) of 5 vertebral angles (T6-T10-T13, T10-T13-T17, T13-T17-L1, T17-L1-L3 and L1-L3-15) were calculated. Neck angle, linear and temporal stride parameters and protraction-retraction angles of the limbs were also calculated. Results: The vertical ROM (flexion-extension) was similar in both conditions, but the horizontal ROM (lateral bending) of the lumbar angles T17-L1-L3 and L1-L3-L5 was less during T locomotion (mean +/- s.d. difference of 1.8 +/- 0.6 and 1.7 +/- 0.9 degrees, respectively, P > 0.05). During O locomotion, the symmetry pattern of the lumbar vertebral angles was diminished from 0.9 to 0.7 (1 = 100% symmetry) indicating increased irregularity of the movement (P > 0.05). No differences were found in the basic linear and temporal stride parameters and neck angle. Conclusions: Vertebral kinematics during treadmill locomotion is not identical to over ground locomotion, but the differences are minor. During treadmill locomotion lumbar motion is less, and caution should be therefore taken when interpreting lumbar kinematics.
Publication Date: 2009-05-28 PubMed ID: 19469239DOI: 10.2746/042516409x397370Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigates the distinct biomechanic movements in horses while trotting on a treadmill and over ground. The study found that although both movements are similar, the lumbar motion is less while on a treadmill.
Objective and Methods of the Study
- The research aims to detect the physical differences and similarities within the thoracolumbar vertebral column (area of back spanning from the chest to the lumbar region) of horses during treadmill (T) and over ground (O) locomotion.
- A total of six healthy Dutch Warmblood horses were involved in the study; they trotted on a treadmill and over the ground for 10 seconds at their preferred speed.
- Reflective skin markers were utilized to capture the motion of the vertebral column using infrared cameras.
- The parameters calculated include Flexion-extension and lateral bending range of motion (ROM), angular motion pattern (AMP), and intravertebral pattern symmetry (IVPS) of 5 vertebral angles. Neck angle, as well as linear and temporal stride parameters, and protraction-retraction angles of the limbs were also noted.
Findings of the Study
- The vertical range of motion, which indicates flexion and extension, was found to be similar in both the conditions.
- However, the lateral bending (horizontal range of motion) in the lumbar angles was less during treadmill locomotion. Notably, these differences were minor.
- In terms of the symmetry pattern of the lumbar vertebral angles during over ground locomotion, a decrease was observed indicating an increased irregularity in movement.
- There were no significant variations in the basic linear and temporal stride parameters and neck angle.
Conclusions of the Study
- The study concludes that even though the back kinematics in horses are not completely identical during treadmill and over ground motion, the differences are relatively minimal.
- However, it’s noted that there is less lumbar motion during treadmill locomotion, and hence, when interpreting lumbar kinematics, caution must be exercised.
Cite This Article
APA
Gómez Alvarez CB, Rhodin M, Byström A, Back W, van Weeren PR.
(2009).
Back kinematics of healthy trotting horses during treadmill versus over ground locomotion.
Equine Vet J, 41(3), 297-300.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516409x397370 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Division, Veterinary Medicine College, Católica de Temuco University, Chile. cbgomezalvarez@gmail.com
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Back / physiology
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Exercise Test
- Gait / physiology
- Horses / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- St George L, Nankervis K, Walker V, Maddock C, Robinson A, Sinclair J, Hobbs SJ. A Feasibility Study to Determine Whether Neuromuscular Adaptations to Equine Water Treadmill Exercise Can Be Detected Using Synchronous Surface Electromyography and Kinematic Data. Animals (Basel) 2025 Nov 1;15(21).
- Fair N, Blake S, Blake R. Four Weeks of Incline Water Treadmill Exercise Can Contribute to Increase Epaxial Muscle Profile in Horses. Vet Med Int 2023;2023:9090406.
- Logan AA, Nielsen BD, Hiney KM, Robison CI, Manfredi JM, Buskirk DD, Popovich JM Jr. The Impact of Circular Exercise Diameter on Bone and Joint Health of Juvenile Animals. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 27;12(11).
- Simonato SP, Bernardina GRD, Ferreira LCR, Silvatti AP, Barcelos KMC, da Fonseca BPA. 3D kinematic of the thoracolumbar spine in Mangalarga Marchador horses performing the marcha batida gait and being led by hand-A preliminary report. PLoS One 2021;16(7):e0253697.
- Byström A, Hardeman AM, Serra Bragança FM, Roepstorff L, Swagemakers JH, van Weeren PR, Egenvall A. Differences in equine spinal kinematics between straight line and circle in trot. Sci Rep 2021 Jun 18;11(1):12832.
- MacKechnie-Guire R, Pfau T. Differential rotational movement and symmetry values of the thoracolumbosacral region in high-level dressage horses when trotting. PLoS One 2021;16(5):e0251144.
- Bolton S, Cave N, Cogger N, Colborne GR. Use of a Collar-Mounted Triaxial Accelerometer to Predict Speed and Gait in Dogs. Animals (Basel) 2021 Apr 27;11(5).
- Domino M, Romaszewski M, Jasiński T, Maśko M. Comparison of the Surface Thermal Patterns of Horses and Donkeys in Infrared Thermography Images. Animals (Basel) 2020 Nov 24;10(12).
- Masko M, Domino M, Lewczuk D, Jasinski T, Gajewski Z. Horse Behavior, Physiology and Emotions during Habituation to a Treadmill. Animals (Basel) 2020 May 26;10(6).
- Bosch S, Serra Bragança F, Marin-Perianu M, Marin-Perianu R, van der Zwaag BJ, Voskamp J, Back W, van Weeren R, Havinga P. EquiMoves: A Wireless Networked Inertial Measurement System for Objective Examination of Horse Gait. Sensors (Basel) 2018 Mar 13;18(3).
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