Effect of trotting speed, load and incline on hindlimb stance-phase kinematics.
Abstract: The objective was to understand how the stance-phase kinematics of the hindlimb of trotting horses change with speed under 3 conditions (level, loaded and incline), to compare our results with the predictions of the spring-mass model and to help focus our future studies of muscle function. Video recordings were made of 5 Arabian horses trotting on a treadmill. Five consecutive strides were digitised and averaged for each trial. The angle-time diagrams were qualitatively similar to those reported previously. As speed increases, the range of motion of the hindlimb increases, as predicted by the spring-mass model. This is the result of increased range of motion in the coxofemoral and tarsal joints. The hindlimb does not 'land short-take off long'. When trotting up an incline, the hindlimb undergoes a greater range of motion because of increased retraction resulting from increased extension of the coxofemoral joint. At hoof contact on an incline, the 3 proximal joints are more flexed than on the level. Carrying a load had no effect on kinematics. These results suggest that there may be larger changes in strain with speed in muscles acting at the coxofemoral and tarsal joints than at the femorotibial joint, and that locomotion up an incline will change muscle strain more than carrying a load.
Publication Date: 2002-10-31 PubMed ID: 12405710DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05442.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- P.H.S.
Summary
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The research article investigates how the movement of a trotting horse’s hindlimb changes with variations in speed, load, and incline. The study also compares its findings with a theoretical model known as the spring-mass model.
Methodology
- The study involved five Arabian horses trotting on a treadmill under various conditions: level ground, burdened, and ascending an incline.
- Video recordings of the horses were made, from which five consecutive strides were digitized and averaged for each experimental trial.
Findings
- The researchers found that the angle-time diagrams obtained were significantly similar to those reported in previous research.
- As the speed of trotting increased, so did the range of motion of the horse’s hindlimb, aligning with the predictions of the spring-mass model. The increased range of motion was due to increased movement in the coxofemoral and tarsal joints (found in the hip and ankle).
- The study noted that the horses did not show any ‘land short-take off long’ action in their hind limbs.
- When trotting uphill, the hindlimb displayed a greater range of motion due to augmented extension of the coxofemoral joint. This extension results in enhanced retraction of the leg.
- At the moment of hoof contact on an incline, the three proximal joints (those closer to the center of the body) are more flexed than when the horse is trotting on level ground.
- No impacts on the horse’s movement were observed when the horse was carrying an additional load.
Implications
- The findings suggest that changes in speed could lead to larger strain adjustments in the muscles that control the coxofemoral and tarsal joints as compared to those influencing the femorotibial joint (found in the knee).
- It was also inferred that locomotion on an incline modifies muscle strain more significantly than when carrying additional load.
- These observations could be instrumental in planning future studies about equine muscle function.
Cite This Article
APA
Hoyt DF, Molinari M, Wickler SJ, Cogger EA.
(2002).
Effect of trotting speed, load and incline on hindlimb stance-phase kinematics.
Equine Vet J Suppl(34), 330-336.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05442.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Biological Sciences Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona 91768, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Female
- Gait / physiology
- Hindlimb / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Joints / physiology
- Locomotion / physiology
- Male
- Posture / physiology
- Random Allocation
- Range of Motion, Articular / physiology
- Time Factors
- Video Recording
- Weight-Bearing / physiology
Grant Funding
- S06 GM53933 / NIGMS NIH HHS
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Bukhari SSUH, McElligott AG, Parkes RSV. Quantifying the Impact of Mounted Load Carrying on Equids: A Review. Animals (Basel) 2021 May 7;11(5).
- Gorissen BMC, Wolschrijn CF, Serra Bragança FM, Geerts AAJ, Leenders WOJL, Back W, van Weeren PR. The development of locomotor kinetics in the foal and the effect of osteochondrosis. Equine Vet J 2017 Jul;49(4):467-474.
- Vilar JM, Spadari A, Billi V, Desini V, Santana A. Biomechanics in young and adult italian standardbred trotter horses in real racing conditions. Vet Res Commun 2008 Jun;32(5):367-76.
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