Effects of trotting speed on muscle activity and kinematics in saddlehorses.
Abstract: A thorough knowledge of the horse's back and limb movements at different speeds is important in the design of training programmes and the prevention of speed-related injuries. The objective of this study was to investigate changes in muscle activity and kinematics of the trot with increased speed. To evaluate these effects, 4 Saddlehorses were recorded while trotting on a horizontal treadmill at speeds ranging from 3.5-6.0 m/s. The 3-D trajectories of skin markers on the left side of the horse and the dorsal midline of the trunk were established. Electrical activity was obtained simultaneously from 6 muscles using surface electrodes. Ten consecutive strides were analysed for each horse at each of the 5 velocity steps. The increase in speed resulted in a decrease in stride and stance phase duration, increased muscle activity and range of motion of the limbs, but a decrease in back movements. During the stance phase, the limbs appeared more loaded, which resulted in more flexion of the joints and higher excentric muscle activity. During the swing phase, the higher concentric activity of the muscles was responsible for an increased shortening of the limbs. Understanding the effects of speed on equine locomotion is a prerequisite for the development of training programmes.
Publication Date: 2002-10-31 PubMed ID: 12405704DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05436.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Animal Science
- Animal Studies
- Athletic Horses
- Biomechanics
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Equine Science
- Equine Studies
- Exercise Physiology
- Horse Breeds
- Horse Training
- Kinematics
- Locomotion
- Musculoskeletal System
- Performance Horses
- Treadmill Exercise
- Trotting Horses
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
- Veterinary Science
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research explores how trotting speed affects the muscle activity and movement of saddlehorses. The findings showed that higher speeds resulted in increased muscle activities and range of motion in limbs, but reduced back movement, which can provide valuable insights for horse training and preventing speed-related injuries.
Objective of the Research
- This research aimed at investigating how muscle activities and kinematics (the study of movement) in horse’s body parts vary with different trotting speeds. This study can help design effective horse training programs and minimize the risk of speed-related injuries.
Research Methodology
- Four Saddlehorses were recorded on a horizontal treadmill at speeds between 3.5-6.0 m/s.
- 3-D trajectories of skin markers placed on the horse’s left side and the back’s middle were captured for better understanding of the movements.
- Simultaneous electrical activity was obtained from six different muscles using electrodes positioned on the skin’s surface.
- For each horse, ten consecutive strides were examined at each of the five different velocity stages.
Key Findings
- Stride and stance phase duration decreased as speed increased.
- Increased trotting speed resulted in increased muscle activity and range of movement in the horse’s limbs, but decreased back movements.
- In the stance phase (when the horse’s foot is on the ground), the limbs appeared more loaded, resulting in more flexed joints and increased eccentric muscle activity (muscle contraction as it lengthens).
- In the swing phase (when the horse’s foot is off the ground), higher trotting speed caused more rapid shortening of the limbs
due to increased concentric muscle activity (muscle contraction as it shortens).
Implications of the Research
- This study provides insights into how trotting speed affects equine locomotion, which is crucial for the development of effective training programs and injury prevention.
- Understanding these kinematic and muscular changes with increasing speeds could help trainers optimize their training routines and strategies.
- The research can also inform veterinary practices in diagnosing and treating speed-related injuries in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Robert C, Valette JP, Pourcelot P, Audigié F, Denoix JM.
(2002).
Effects of trotting speed on muscle activity and kinematics in saddlehorses.
Equine Vet J Suppl(34), 295-301.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05436.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- UMR INRA, ENVA, Biomécanique et Pathologie Locomotrice du Cheval, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Electromyography / veterinary
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Forelimb / physiology
- Gait / physiology
- Hindlimb / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
- Range of Motion, Articular / physiology
- Spine / physiology
- Video Recording
Citations
This article has been cited 20 times.- Vidal Moreno de Vega C, Lemmens D, de Meeûs d'Argenteuil C, Boshuizen B, de Maré L, Leybaert L, Goethals K, de Oliveira JE, Hosotani G, Deforce D, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Devisscher L, Delesalle C. Dynamics of training and acute exercise-induced shifts in muscular glucose transporter (GLUT) 4, 8, and 12 expression in locomotion versus posture muscles in healthy horses.. Front Physiol 2023;14:1256217.
- Crecan CM, Peștean CP. Inertial Sensor Technologies-Their Role in Equine Gait Analysis, a Review.. Sensors (Basel) 2023 Jul 11;23(14).
- St George L, Spoormakers TJP, Roy SH, Hobbs SJ, Clayton HM, Richards J, Serra Bragança FM. Reliability of surface electromyographic (sEMG) measures of equine axial and appendicular muscles during overground trot.. PLoS One 2023;18(7):e0288664.
- Takahashi Y, Takahashi T, Mukai K, Ebisuda Y, Ohmura H. Effect of speed and leading or trailing limbs on surface muscle activities during canter in Thoroughbred horses.. PLoS One 2023;18(5):e0286409.
- St George LB, Spoormakers TJP, Smit IH, Hobbs SJ, Clayton HM, Roy SH, van Weeren PR, Richards J, Serra Bragança FM. Adaptations in equine appendicular muscle activity and movement occur during induced fore- and hindlimb lameness: An electromyographic and kinematic evaluation.. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:989522.
- Ursini T, Shaw K, Levine D, Richards J, Adair HS. Electromyography of the Multifidus Muscle in Horses Trotting During Therapeutic Exercises.. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:844776.
- de Meeûs d'Argenteuil C, Boshuizen B, Vidal Moreno de Vega C, Leybaert L, de Maré L, Goethals K, De Spiegelaere W, Oosterlinck M, Delesalle C. Comparison of Shifts in Skeletal Muscle Plasticity Parameters in Horses in Three Different Muscles, in Answer to 8 Weeks of Harness Training.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:718866.
- Sapone M, Martin P, Ben Mansour K, Chateau H, Marin F. The Protraction and Retraction Angles of Horse Limbs: An Estimation during Trotting Using Inertial Sensors.. Sensors (Basel) 2021 May 30;21(11).
- Darbandi H, Serra Bragança F, van der Zwaag BJ, Voskamp J, Gmel AI, Haraldsdóttir EH, Havinga P. Using Different Combinations of Body-Mounted IMU Sensors to Estimate Speed of Horses-A Machine Learning Approach.. Sensors (Basel) 2021 Jan 26;21(3).
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