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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2019; 9(9); 646; doi: 10.3390/ani9090646

Does Juvenile Play Programme the Equine Musculoskeletal System?

Abstract: In mammals, play behaviour appears innate and, because of this, may provide insight into the frequency and intensity of load that is required to stimulate positive musculoskeletal development. The objective of this review was to explore the interaction between play and tissue (bone) development at a molecular through to whole-animal level, with specific focus on the horse as a model. The basis of our understanding of the response of bone to loading is the mechanostat theorem. This assumes that at a tissue level, bone attempts to keep localised strain within the physiological range of 1500-2500 microstrain. Loads above this range result in a modelling response to reduce strain, and strain below this threshold results in remodelling to maintain the localised physiological range. In foals, locomotor play is dramatic and vigorous, with cumulative increases in both intensity and complexity. Based on published literature describing locomotor play in foals and the microstrain at different gaits in the horse, it was proposed that locomotor play in foal aligns with the mechanostat theorem in both the magnitude and frequency of load cycles applied. The cumulative increases in the complexity and intensity of locomotor play as the foal develops, in turn, ensure the strain rates associated with play remain above the local physiological range and promote material and architectural changes in the distal limb bones. Thus, spontaneous locomotor play may be vital to ensure optimal bone development in the horse. Modern management systems need to provide appropriate opportunities for foals to perform spontaneous locomotor play to optimise bone development and reduce the risk of future musculoskeletal injury later in life.
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Publication Date: 2019-09-03 PubMed ID: 31484397PubMed Central: PMC6770595DOI: 10.3390/ani9090646Google 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 article discusses the potential link between juvenile play behaviour in horses and their musculoskeletal development. The researchers hypothesize that spontaneous locomotor play in foals may play a significant role in facilitating optimal bone development, and thus suggests the need for adequate play opportunities in their modern management systems.

Study Objective and Methodology

  • The main purpose of this investigation is to understand the correlation between play behaviour and tissue (particularly bone) development.
  • The focus is on horses and juvenile play as a model for this exploration. The research uses the framework of the ‘mechanostat theorem’, which posits that bone strain is ideally kept within a certain range – between 1500-2500 microstrain – for optimal development.

Mechanostat Theorem

  • The mechanostat theorem is a crucial basis for this study, asserting that the bone automatically responds to loads/strain to keep it within a specific physiological range. If the strain passes above this range, a modelling response cuts it down, and if it’s under this range, a remodelling process maintains the preferred strain level.

Locomotor Play in Foals

  • Locomotor play in foals is observed to be vigorous and full of drama and complexity, progressively increasing as the foal matured. When viewed alongside the microstrain at different gaits, locomotor play seemed to align with the mechanostat theorem regarding both the load cycle’s frequency and size.
  • The theory propagated by the researchers is that the rate of strain associated with play behaviour remains above the physiological range, which promotes changes in the distal limb bones’ material and architecture.

Implications of the Study

  • The behaviour of spontaneous play in foals could be critical in assuring optimal bone development in horses. It is thus presented as a crucial component in modern management systems to furnish appropriate opportunities for foals to engage in locomotor play.
  • Providing sufficient play opportunities could ultimately minimize the risk of future musculoskeletal injuries in adult horses and become a new standard in horse care.

Cite This Article

APA
Rogers CW, Dittmer KE. (2019). Does Juvenile Play Programme the Equine Musculoskeletal System? Animals (Basel), 9(9), 646. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9090646

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 9
PII: 646

Researcher Affiliations

Rogers, Chris W
  • School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand. C.W.Rogers@massey.ac.nz.
  • School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand. C.W.Rogers@massey.ac.nz.
Dittmer, Keren E
  • School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand. k.e.dittmer@massey.ac.nz.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

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