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Cells, tissues, organs1999; 165(2); 113-122; doi: 10.1159/000016681

Correlation between surface electromyography and kinematics of the hindlimb of horses at trot on a treadmill.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of surface electromyography in the horse and to correlate electromyographic activity with kinematic data. Surface electromyography of seven hindlimb muscles was recorded in five horses at trot on a treadmill. Simultaneously, kinematic analysis of the hindlimb was performed using a three-dimensional system and a unidirectional accelerometer was attached to the hoof. Electromyographic activities of the gluteus medius, vastus lateralis and two parts of the biceps femoris started in the late part of the swing phase and ended in the late period of the stance phase or the early period of the next swing phase. The semitendinosus showed two bursts of activity. The tensor fasciae latae acted when the previous muscles were inactive. Activity of the extensor digitorum longus was of low level but lasted during most of the step cycle. Correlation between electromyography, kinematics and anatomy helps us to understand the complex role of biarticular muscles: the tensor fasciae latae flexes the hip joint during the swing phase and extends the stifle joint during the stance phase, whereas the semitendinosus extends the hip joint during the stance phase and flexes the stifle joint during the swing phase. Cranial and caudal regions of the biceps femoris were also found to be bifunctional. Surface electromyography correlated with kinematic analysis gives valuable information about the functions and the timing of activity of the hindlimb muscles.
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Publication Date: 1999-10-12 PubMed ID: 10516424DOI: 10.1159/000016681Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 studied the relationship between surface electromyography and movements of the hindlimb in horses while trotting on a treadmill. They found a correlation that provides useful insights into the functions and timings of the hindlimb muscles.

Method of the Research

  • The researchers used surface electromyography, which is a technique to record the electrical activity of muscle tissue, on seven different hindlimb muscles in five horses.
  • The horses were made to trot on a treadmill while simultaneously, their limb movements were analyzed by a three-dimensional system.
  • A unidirectional accelerometer was attached to the horse’s hoof to measure acceleration related data.

Results of the Research

  • The researchers found specific patterns of electromyographic activity for different muscles. The activity of the gluteus medius, vastus lateralis and two parts of the biceps femoris commenced in the latter part of the swing phase and concluded in the latter part of the stance phase or the initial period of the next swing phase.
  • The semitendinosus muscle displayed two bursts of activity, while the tensor fasciae latae was active when the previous muscles were inactive.
  • The activity of the extensor digitorum longus was low but lasted for most of the step cycle.

Significance of the Findings

  • There were correlations between muscle activity, recorded through electromyography, kinematics (how the horse moved) and anatomy (the physical structure of the horse).
  • Such correlations help understand the complex roles played by muscles that span two joints, referred to as ‘biarticular muscles’. For instance, the tensor fasciae latae, a muscle that acts on two joints, flexes the hip joint during swing and extends the knee joint during stance, whereas the semitendinosus extends the hip during stance and flexes the knee during swing.
  • Both the cranial (forward) and caudal (backward) parts of the biceps femoris were found to have bifunctional, meaning it served two functions.

Conclusion

  • The study asserts that surface electromyography, when used in conjunction with kinematic analysis, can provide valuable insights about the function and timing of the activity of hindlimb muscles in horses. Such information can be beneficial for veterinary science, particularly for diagnosing and treating locomotory problems in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Robert C, Valette JP, Degueurce C, Denoix JM. (1999). Correlation between surface electromyography and kinematics of the hindlimb of horses at trot on a treadmill. Cells Tissues Organs, 165(2), 113-122. https://doi.org/10.1159/000016681

Publication

Cells, tissues, organs
ISSN: 1422-6405
NlmUniqueID: 100883360
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 165
Issue: 2
Pages: 113-122

Researcher Affiliations

Robert, C
  • Ecole Vétérinaire d'Alfort, INRA 'Biomécanique du Cheval', Maisons-Alfort, France. robert@vet-alfort.fr
Valette, J P
    Degueurce, C
      Denoix, J M

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Biomechanical Phenomena
        • Electromyography
        • Hindlimb / physiology
        • Horses / physiology
        • Locomotion
        • Muscle Contraction
        • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
        • Physical Conditioning, Animal

        Citations

        This article has been cited 16 times.
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        14. 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).
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