Effect of Ground and Raised Poles on Kinematics of the Walk.
Abstract: Walking over poles is a commonly employed training and rehabilitation tool and it is crucial to understand its effect on equine locomotion, particularly joint range of motion (ROM). The study aimed to compare the effect of ground poles (GP) and raised poles (RP) on limb kinematics and poll, wither and pelvic ROM at walk. It was hypothesized that walking over poles would increase joint ROM but have no effect on poll, wither and pelvic ROM compared to no poles (NP). Forty-one horses were walked in-hand over NP, GP (10 cm) and RP (26 cm) in a crossover design. Limb kinematics were determined via two-dimensional motion capture (240 Hz). Poll, wither, tubera sacrale, and left/right tuber coxae ROM were determined by inertial motion units (100 Hz). Multivariable mixed effects linear regression analyses were carried out. Walking over poles increased limb joint ROM, through increased swing flexion, compared to NP. There was a greater effect over RP compared to GP. Significant reductions in craniocaudal ROM of the wither, tuber coxae and tuber sacrale were observed over GP and RP. Mediolateral ROM of tuber coxae and tuber sacrale increased over GP and RP and was greatest over RP. Wither ROM was increased over RP only. Set-up and height of the poles used here may not extrapolate to other scenarios. Walking over poles appears to be effective at increasing joint ROM via an increase in mid swing flexion, without vertical excursion of the trunk, compared to normal locomotion, which supports the use of poles for rehabilitation.
Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2022-05-06 PubMed ID: 35533803DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104005Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research study investigates the impact of walking over ground and raised poles on the joint range of motion (ROM) in horses. The study finds that pole-walking aids in increasing the joint ROM via an increase in mid-swing flexion.
Research Study: Purpose and Hypothesis
- The study explores the effect of walking over ground (GP) and raised poles (RP) on the limb kinematics and range of movement (ROM) of poll, wither and pelvic in horses at walk.
- The underlying hypothesis is that walking over poles would amplify joint ROM but would make no difference to the ROM of poll, wither, and pelvis when compared to walking without poles (NP).
Methodology
- 41 horses were walked over no poles (NP), ground poles (GP) which were 10 cm in height and raised poles (RP) that were 26 cm in height. The design of the experiment was a crossover.
- Limb kinematics were assessed through two-dimensional motion capture and the ROM for poll, wither, tubera sacrale, and left/right tuber coxae were determined by using inertial motion units.
- A multivariable mixed-effects linear regression analysis was utilized to process the collected data.
Findings
- The results showed an increase in joint ROM when horses walked over poles, along with increased swing flexion compared to when they walked without poles.
- The effect was more significant with raised poles compared to ground poles.
- The research noticed a considerable decrease in the craniocaudal ROM of the wither, tuber coxae, and tuber sacrale when horses were made to walk over both ground and raised poles.
- Mediolateral ROM of tuber coxae and tuber sacrale increased over GP and RP and was highest over RP. Wither ROM was amplified only over raised poles.
Implications and Limitations
- The research supports the use of poles for rehabilitation and training purposes due to the observed increase in joint ROM with particular emphasis on mid swing flexion without vertical movement of the trunk compared to standard locomotion.
- However, the study also points out that the set-up and height of the poles used in this study may not be applicable to other scenarios or settings.
Cite This Article
APA
Walker VA, Tranquillle CA, MacKechnie-Guire R, Spear J, Newton R, Murray RC.
(2022).
Effect of Ground and Raised Poles on Kinematics of the Walk.
J Equine Vet Sci, 115, 104005.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104005 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK; Hartpury University, Hartpury, Gloucester, GL19 3BE, UK. Electronic address: victoria.walker@hartpury.ac.uk.
- Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK; Hartpury University, Hartpury, Gloucester, GL19 3BE, UK.
- Centaur Biomechanics, Dunstaffanage House, Moreton Morrell, Warwickshire, UK; Hartpury University, Hartpury, Gloucester, GL19 3BE, UK.
- Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK.
- Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK; British Horseracing Authority, 75 High Holborn, Holborn, London WC1V 6LS, UK.
- Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK; Rossdales Ltd, Cotton End Road, Newmarket, CB8 7NN, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Horses
- Joints
- Locomotion
- Range of Motion, Articular
- Walking
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Jacobs C, Schnabel LV, Redding Horne C, Tufts S, Martin EGM, Love K. Postoperative management following equine orthopedic surgery: a survey of diplomates of the ACVS and ACVSMR. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1708401.
- Geiger T, Lindenhahn L, Delarocque J, Geburek F. Evaluation of water treadmill training, lunging and treadmill training in the rehabilitation of horses with back pain. BMC Vet Res 2025 Jul 29;21(1):495.
- Clarke K, Terry J, Blake S, Ferro de Godoy R. Kinematics and kinetics of dogs walking over increasing heights of cavaletti exercise. Heliyon 2024 Dec 30;10(24):e40952.
- Pasquiet B, Biau S, Trébot Q, Debril JF, Durand F, Fradet L. Detection of Horse Locomotion Modifications Due to Training with Inertial Measurement Units: A Proof-of-Concept. Sensors (Basel) 2022 Jul 1;22(13).
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