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Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)2023; 23(20); 8414; doi: 10.3390/s23208414

Comparing Inertial Measurement Units to Markerless Video Analysis for Movement Symmetry in Quarter Horses.

Abstract: With an increasing number of systems for quantifying lameness-related movement asymmetry, between-system comparisons under non-laboratory conditions are important for multi-centre or referral-level studies. This study compares an artificial intelligence video app to a validated inertial measurement unit (IMU) gait analysis system in a specific group of horses. Methods: Twenty-two reining Quarter horses were equipped with nine body-mounted IMUs while being videoed with a smartphone app. Both systems quantified head and pelvic movement symmetry during in-hand trot (hard/soft ground) and on the lunge (left/right rein, soft ground). Proportional limits of agreement (pLoA) were established. Results: Widths of pLoA were larger for head movement (29% to 50% in-hand; 22% to 38% on lunge) than for pelvic movement (13% to 24% in-hand; 14% to 24% on lunge). Conclusions: The between-system pLoAs exceed current "lameness thresholds" aimed at identifying the affected limb(s) in lame horses. They also exceed published limits of agreement for stride-matched data but are similar to repeatability values and "lameness thresholds" from "non-lame" horses. This is encouraging for multi-centre studies and referral-level veterinary practice. The narrower pLoA values for pelvic movement asymmetry are particularly encouraging, given the difficulty of grading hind limb lameness "by eye".
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Publication Date: 2023-10-12 PubMed ID: 37896509PubMed Central: PMC10610735DOI: 10.3390/s23208414Google 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.

This research compared the effectiveness of an artificial intelligence video app and a validated inertial measurement unit (IMU) in assessing the movement symmetry of Quarter horses. Results showed that both methods could be useful in determining lameness-related movement asymmetry, but there were significant differences in their measurements.

Methods Used in the Study

  • The study involved 22 reining Quarter horses that were analyzed using both a smartphone-based artificial intelligence video application and an IMU gait analysis system.
  • The horses were equipped with nine body-mounted IMUs, which were used to capture data on their movements while they were also being recorded via a smartphone.
  • Both systems were used to quantify head and pelvic movement symmetry under different conditions, including trotting in-hand and on the lunge, on both soft and hard ground.

Results of the Comparative Analysis

  • Results showed that the proportional limits of agreement (pLoA), a statistical measure of agreement between two methods, were larger for head movement than for pelvic movement. Specifically, pLoA for head movement ranged from 29% to 50% for in-hand trotting and 22% to 38% for lunging, whereas pLoA for pelvic movement was between 13% and 24% for both in-hand and lunge.

Conclusions Drawn from the Study

  • The study concluded that the observed pLoA values exceeded the currently accepted lameness thresholds set out in other studies – the range within which movement asymmetry is deemed to indicate lameness.
  • However, the results were encouraging for multi-centre studies and veterinary practice at the referral level. They show that despite their differences, both the IMU system and the video app can be useful tools in identifying lameness in horses.
  • Particularly promising were the lower pLoA values for pelvic movement asymmetry. Given the challenge of visually assessing lameness in a horse’s hind legs, the more precise measurements offered by these tools could be valuable.

Cite This Article

APA
Pfau T, Landsbergen K, Davis BL, Kenny O, Kernot N, Rochard N, Porte-Proust M, Sparks H, Takahashi Y, Toth K, Scott WM. (2023). Comparing Inertial Measurement Units to Markerless Video Analysis for Movement Symmetry in Quarter Horses. Sensors (Basel), 23(20), 8414. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23208414

Publication

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 1424-8220
NlmUniqueID: 101204366
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 23
Issue: 20
PII: 8414

Researcher Affiliations

Pfau, Thilo
  • Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
Landsbergen, Kiki
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
Davis, Brittany L
  • Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
Kenny, Olivia
  • Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
Kernot, Nicole
  • School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, North Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia.
Rochard, Nina
  • Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 31300 Toulouse, France.
Porte-Proust, Marion
  • Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 31300 Toulouse, France.
Sparks, Holly
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
Takahashi, Yuji
  • Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
  • Japan Racing Association, Tokyo 105-0003, Japan.
Toth, Kasara
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
Scott, W Michael
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Movement
  • Gait
  • Head Movements
  • Upper Extremity
  • Hindlimb

Grant Funding

  • investigative medicine project Kiki Landsbergen / University of Calgary

Conflict of Interest Statement

T.P. is the owner of EquiGait Ltd., providing inertial measurement unit-based gait analysis tools (one of them used in this study) and services. This does not alter our adherence to all polices on sharing data and materials. The remaining authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 7 times.
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