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Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2011; (38); 261-267; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00224.x

Effect of head and neck position on outcome of quantitative neuromuscular diagnostic techniques in Warmblood riding horses directly following moderate exercise.

Abstract: There has been growing interest in training techniques with respect to the head and neck position (HNP) of the equine athlete. Little is known about the influence of HNP on neuromuscular transmission in neck muscles. Objective: To test the hypothesis that different HNPs have effect on single fibre (SF), quantitative electromyographic (QEMG) examination and muscle enzyme activity directly after moderate exercise. Methods: Seven Warmblood horses were studied using a standard exercise protocol in 5 HNPs: HNP1: unrestrained; HNP2: neck raised; bridge of nose around the vertical; HNP4: neck lowered and considerably flexed, bridge of nose pointing towards the chest; HNP5: neck raised and considerably extended; bridge of nose in front of the vertical; HNP7: neck lowered and flexed; bridge of nose pointing towards the carpus. Mean consecutive difference (MCD) of single muscle fibre potentials and motor unit action potential (MUP) variables (amplitude, duration, area, turns and phases) were recorded in each fixed position directly after exercise at rest using commercial EMG equipment. Muscle enzyme activity was measured before and 4, 6 and 24 h after exercise. Results: Mean consecutive difference in all HNPs was higher than in HNP1 (22 µs, P < 0.001) of which HNP4 was highest with 39 µs compared to 30 µs in HNP2 (P = 0.04); MCD in HNP 5,7 was with 25 µs lower than in HNP 2 and 4 (P < 0.001). Odds ratio for MCD suggestive for conduction delay or block was 13.6 in HNP4 compared to HNP1 (P < 0.001). Motion unit action potential variables followed the same pattern as MCD. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity increased in HNP4 at 4 h (P = 0.014), 6 h (P = 0.017) and 24 h (P = 0.038) post exercise and in HNP5 and HNP7 at 4 h (P = 0.037; 0.029). Conclusions: HNP4 in particular leads to a higher rise in LDH activity, MCD and MUP variables, indicating that HNPs have effect on variables characterising neuromuscular functionality.
© 2010 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2011-05-27 PubMed ID: 21059016DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00224.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This study aimed to evaluate the impact of various head and neck positions (HNPs) on muscle functioning and neuromuscular transmission in Warmblood horses following moderate exercise. The research concluded that HNP has an impact on neuromuscular function, with certain positions leading to higher enzyme activity and neurological variables.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers recruited seven Warmblood horses for this study, and applied a standard exercise protocol. The investigation carried out exercises in 5 distinct HNPs: unrestrained (HNP1), neck raised (HNP2), neck considerably lowered and flexed (HNP4), neck raised and notably extended (HNP5), and neck lowered and flexed (HNP7).
  • The mean consecutive difference (MCD) of potentials in single muscle fibres and motor unit action potential (MUP) variables like amplitude, duration, area, turns, and phases were recorded at rest directly after exercise in each fixed position with commercial EMG equipment.
  • Muscle enzyme activity was measured before the study started and then after 4, 6, and 24 hours following the exercise session.

Research Findings

  • The MCD in all HNPs consistently surpassed that of HNP1 (unrestrained). In particular, HNP4 (neck considerably lowered and flexed) held the highest MCD, followed by HNP2 (neck raised), HNP5 (neck raised and notably extended), and HNP7 (neck lowered and flexed).
  • The odds ratio for an MCD suggestive of conduction delay or block was 13.6 times higher in HNP4 compared to HNP1.
  • Variables of motion unit action potential followed the same pattern as MCD.
  • The researchers found increased enzyme activity, specifically lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), at 4, 6, and 24 hours post exercise in HNP4 and at 4 hours in HNP5 and HNP7.

Conclusion

  • Observing the effects of HNPs on Warmblood horses following moderate exercise, the researchers concluded that HNPs do have an effect on neuromuscular function.
  • Particularly, HNP4 led to a higher rise in LDH activity, MCD, and MUP variables. This suggests that the head and neck positions of equine athletes during exercise and training might play a crucial role in their muscle enzyme activity and neuromuscular function.

Cite This Article

APA
Wijnberg ID, Sleutjens J, Van Der Kolk JH, Back W. (2011). Effect of head and neck position on outcome of quantitative neuromuscular diagnostic techniques in Warmblood riding horses directly following moderate exercise. Equine Vet J Suppl(38), 261-267. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00224.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 38
Pages: 261-267

Researcher Affiliations

Wijnberg, I D
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands. i.d.wijnberg@uu.nl
Sleutjens, J
    Van Der Kolk, J H
      Back, W

        MeSH Terms

        • Action Potentials
        • Animals
        • Biomechanical Phenomena
        • Electromyography / veterinary
        • Female
        • Horses / physiology
        • Male
        • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
        • Neck / physiology
        • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
        • Posture / physiology

        Citations

        This article has been cited 4 times.
        1. Maśko M, Zdrojkowski L, Domino M, Jasinski T, Gajewski Z. The Pattern of Superficial Body Temperatures in Leisure Horses Lunged with Commonly Used Lunging Aids. Animals (Basel) 2019 Dec 7;9(12).
          doi: 10.3390/ani9121095pubmed: 31817842google scholar: lookup
        2. Kienapfel K, Link Y, König V Borstel U. Prevalence of different head-neck positions in horses shown at dressage competitions and their relation to conflict behaviour and performance marks. PLoS One 2014;9(8):e103140.
          doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103140pubmed: 25090242google scholar: lookup
        3. Phelipon R, Lansade L, Razzaq M. Using deep learning models to decode emotional states in horses. Sci Rep 2025 Apr 23;15(1):13154.
          doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-95853-7pubmed: 40269006google scholar: lookup
        4. Maśko M, Sikorska U, Borowska M, Zdrojkowski Ł, Jasiński T, Domino M. The Postural and Body Surface Temperature Response of Leisure Horses to Lunging with Selected Lunging Aids. Animals (Basel) 2023 Dec 20;14(1).
          doi: 10.3390/ani14010022pubmed: 38200753google scholar: lookup
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