Dynamic mobilisation exercises increase cross sectional area of musculus multifidus.

This research article investigates the effect of dynamic mobilisation exercises on the musculus multifidus, a deep spinal stabilizer, in horses. The study found that dynamic mobilisation exercises increased the size and symmetry of the musculus multifidus in the caudal thoracic and lumbar spine over a three-month period.

Study Objective and Methodology

• The study aims to determine the impact of dynamic mobilisation exercises on the cross-sectional area (CSA) and left-right symmetry of the musculus multifidus in the equine caudal thoracic and lumbar spine.
• Eight horses performed several dynamic mobilisation exercises which include cervical flexions, cervical extension, and lateral bending exercises. This exercise pattern was repeated five times per day, five days a week, for three months during which the horses were not ridden.
• The CSA of the left and right musculus multifidus was recorded at the beginning and end of the period using ultrasound at six different spinal levels. The researchers utilized an analysis of variance to identify any changes in the CSA of the right and left musculus multifidus muscles, and the symmetry of the musculus multifidus CSA on the right and left sides.

Results and Conclusion

• The study found a significant increase in the CSA of the musculus multifidus at all six spinal levels on both sides between the initial and final evaluations. In addition, asymmetries in the CSA between the right and left sides decreased between the evaluations.
• These findings suggest that the musculus multifidus can undergo hypertrophy (increase in muscle size) over a three-month period with dynamic mobilisation exercises.
• The results lead to the conclusion that dynamic mobilisation exercises could be a potentially effective rehabilitation technique for horses in which the musculus multifidus has atrophied due to back pain.

It’s also worth noting that the observations on the changes in the musculus multifidus size and symmetry could contribute to further research and understanding of spinal health in equines, and the potential for rehabilitation of back pain in these animals through specific exercises.