Effects of subject velocity on ground reaction force measurements and stance times in clinically normal horses at the walk and trot.
Abstract: The objective of the study reported here was to evaluate the effects of changing velocity on stance time and ground reaction force (GRF) measurements in horses at the walk and trot. Methods: Force plate gait analysis was used to evaluate clinically normal horses at variable velocities. Ground reaction force measurements and stance times were recorded and compared. Methods: 12 adult horses. Methods: Data were obtained from 192 valid trials at the walk and 162 valid trials at the trot. Vertical, braking, and propulsive peak forces and impulses were measured. Pearson's correlation coefficients were determined for velocity and stance time and all measured forces and impulses in the forelimbs and hind limbs. Trials were divided into distinct velocity ranges. Trials obtained at velocities within the established ranges were analyzed to evaluate changes in vertical, braking, and propulsive peak forces and impulses at differing speeds within the walk and trot gaits. Results: At the walk and trot, a significant negative correlation was found between velocity and forelimb and hind limb stance times. Velocity and stance time were significantly correlated with many of the GRF and impulse measurements. Velocity was significantly correlated with vertical and braking forces in the hind limbs at the walk, with vertical force in the forelimbs at the trot, and with braking force in the forelimbs and hind limbs at the trot. Velocity and stance time correlated significantly with forelimb and hind limb vertical impulses. Forelimb and hind limb stance times decreased significantly as velocity increased. Hind limb braking force increased and forelimb and hind limb vertical impulses decreased significantly as walk velocity increased. Forelimb braking force increased significantly between velocity ranges at the trot. Conclusions: Results of this study confirm that a significant negative linear correlation exists between subject velocity and stance times in clinically normal horses at the walk and trot. Significant correlations were also identified between velocity and many GRF measurements, indicating that subject velocity does influence the generation of GRF measurements in horses. Variation in subject velocity should be minimized when performing force-plate analysis in horses.
Publication Date: 1996-01-01 PubMed ID: 8720231
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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The article explores the impact of changing speeds on the stance time and ground reaction force (GRF) measurements in horses during normal walking and trotting. The study indicates a significant correlation between speed and the generation of GRF measurements in horses, underlining the necessity to maintain consistency in the speeding when conducting force-plate analysis.
Study Methodology
- The research employed force plate gait analysis to measure and compare GRF measurements and stance times in horses moving at varied velocities.
- The subjects of the study comprised twelve adult horses.
- Data were gathered from 192 valid trials at the walk and 162 valid trials at the trot. During these trials, the vertical, braking, and propulsive peak forces and impulses were recorded.
- Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated to establish the correlation between velocity and stance time and all measured forces and impulses in the horse’s forelimbs and hind limbs.
- To evaluate the changes in the measured forces and impulses at different speeds for both walking and trotting, trials were subdivided based on distinct velocity ranges.
Key Findings
- The study discovered a significant negative correlation between the velocity (speed) and forelimb and hind limb stance times at both the walk and trot.
- Many of the GRF and impulse measurements showed a significant correlation with stance time and velocity.
- At the walk, the hind limbs exhibited a significant correlation between velocity and vertical and braking forces. At the trot, this significant correlation was found between velocity and vertical force in the forelimbs and braking force in the forelimbs and hind limbs.
- As the walking velocity increased, stance times in forelimbs and hind limbs decreased significantly. Concurrently, hind limb braking force increased, whereas forelimb and hind limb vertical impulses decreased noticeably.
- At the trot, an increase in velocity led to a significant increase in forelimb braking force.
Conclusion
- The findings confirm a substantial negative linear correlation between the horse’s velocity and stance times during both walking and trotting.
- The identified significant correlations between velocity and many GRF measurements suggest that a horse’s speed does significantly impact the generation of GRF measurements.
- The researchers, therefore, recommend minimizing variation in subject velocity when performing force-plate analysis in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
McLaughlin RM, Gaughan EM, Roush JK, Skaggs CL.
(1996).
Effects of subject velocity on ground reaction force measurements and stance times in clinically normal horses at the walk and trot.
Am J Vet Res, 57(1), 7-11.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Forelimb
- Gait
- Hindlimb
- Horses / physiology
- Locomotion
- Posture
- Time Factors
- Walking
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Crecan CM, Peștean CP. Inertial Sensor Technologies-Their Role in Equine Gait Analysis, a Review. Sensors (Basel) 2023 Jul 11;23(14).
- Hobbs SJ, Robinson MA, Clayton HM. A simple method of equine limb force vector analysis and its potential applications. PeerJ 2018;6:e4399.
- 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.
- Mirza MH, Bommala P, Richbourg HA, Rademacher N, Kearney MT, Lopez MJ. Gait Changes Vary among Horses with Naturally Occurring Osteoarthritis Following Intra-articular Administration of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma. Front Vet Sci 2016;3:29.
- Kim J, Breur GJ. Temporospatial and kinetic characteristics of sheep walking on a pressure sensing walkway. Can J Vet Res 2008 Jan;72(1):50-5.
- Aoun R, Ogunmola Z, Musso A, Taguchi T, Takawira C, Lopez MJ. Shoe configuration effects on equine forelimb gait kinetics at a walk. PeerJ 2025;13:e18940.
- Marunova E, Hernlund E, Persson-Sjödin E. Effect of circle, surface type and stride duration on vertical head and pelvis movement in riding horses with pre-existing movement asymmetries in trot. PLoS One 2024;19(8):e0308996.
- Blake CA, Looney AL, Merrill TD. The impact of cavaletti height on dogs' walking speed and its implications for ground reaction forces. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1419206.
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