Characteristics of the Flight Arc in Horses Jumping Three Different Types of Fences in Olympic Competition.

The research investigates the impact of varying fence types on the airborne phase of a jumping horse in Olympic competitions. The study specifically studies how variations in the trajectory, trunk orientation, and angular velocity of a horse differ when they jump over vertical, spread, and water fences.

Methodology

• The research was conducted on a group of elite horses during an Olympic competition.
• Three types of fences were studied: a vertical fence of 1.60 m, a spread fence of 1.50 x 1.80 m, and a water jump of 4.5 m.
• Two-dimensional kinematic data at a rate of 60 Hz were collected using video cameras set perpendicular to each fence.
• After manual digitization, position-related and rotation-related linear and angular variables were calculated for the horse’s center of mass (CM) and trunk.
• Linear fixed effects models were used to evaluate the differences between fences and kinematic variables within the group.
• Repeated measures correlation (rmcorr) was used to assess the associations between kinematic variables and fence type within individual horses.

Results

• Compared to the water jump, the horses achieved higher CM vertical velocity, CM peak height, and average trunk angular velocity while jumping over vertical and spread fences; CM horizontal velocity, on the other hand, was significantly lower.
• The peak of CM height was found to occur around the middle of the spread fence, during the take-off for the water jump, and at the landing for the vertical fence.
• The trunk of the horse was found to be significantly more inclined during the take-off for the vertical fence and significantly less inclined during the landing for the water jump.
• Rmcorr analysis revealed that individual horses generally employed similar jumping techniques for each of the three fence types.

Implications

• The findings of the research provide new insight into the mechanical requirements for elite horses jumping over different fence types.
• This information could have practical implications for training elite showjumping horses, as it allows for a better understanding of the physical demands and techniques required for handling different fence types in competitions.