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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J Suppl / EMG activity of the muscles of the neck and forelimbs during...
Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2000; (30); 231-234; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05224.x

EMG activity of the muscles of the neck and forelimbs during different forms of locomotion.

Abstract: We recorded the electromyographic (EMG) activity of 7 skeletal muscles in the forequarters and 1 in the hindquarters of 6 Thoroughbred horses during overground walking, swimming in a circular pool, and walking and trotting in a water treadmill. Bipolar fine wire electrodes were inserted into the muscles and the EMG signals were recorded using a telemetric system. The splenius exhibited tonic EMG activity during swimming. The brachiocephalicus showed its highest intensity during swimming followed by the walk and trot in the water treadmill and then walking overground. The triceps brachii caput longum had a similar activity pattern to the brachiocephalicus. The brachialis showed only weak EMG activity in all 3 types of locomotion. The extensor digitorum communis had higher intensity of EMG activity in the walk in the water treadmill than in other kinds of locomotion. The flexor digitorum profundus exhibited the most intense EMG activity during swimming. These results indicated that swimming evoked strong EMG activity in the antigravity muscles in spite of reduced gravitational force. Walking in the water treadmill may require more intensified EMG activity of the forelimb than the trot in the same treadmill.
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Publication Date: 2000-02-05 PubMed ID: 10659258DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05224.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 article presents a study that investigated the electrical activity of certain muscles in horses during different forms of movement, namely walking overground, swimming, and using a water treadmill. The study found that swimming caused strong muscle activity in the ‘antigravity’ muscles, despite reduced gravitational force.

Study Design and Methodology

  • The researchers used electromyography (EMG), a diagnostic technique that measures the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles, to monitor the activity of eight muscles in six thoroughbred horses.
  • The selected muscles were located in the neck, forelimbs, and one in the hindquarters. They included the splenius, brachiocephalicus, triceps brachii caput longum, brachialis, extensor digitorum communis, and flexor digitorum profundus.
  • This EMG activity was recorded during three different forms of locomotion: overground walking, swimming in a circular pool, and walking and trotting in a water treadmill.
  • The researchers used a telemetric system and inserted bipolar fine wire electrodes into the muscles in order to capture the EMG signals.

Findings and Conclusions

  • The splenius muscle showed continuous (tonic) EMG activity during swimming.
  • The brachiocephalicus and the triceps brachii caput longum muscles had their highest activity during swimming, followed by walking and trotting on the water treadmill and then walking overground.
  • The brachialis muscle showed only weak EMG activity in all three forms of locomotion.
  • The extensor digitorum communis muscle had higher EMG activity when the horse was walking on the water treadmill compared to the other types of locomotion.
  • The flexor digitorum profundus muscle showed the most intense EMG activity during swimming.
  • The researchers concluded that swimming evoked strong EMG activity in the antigravity muscles despite the fact that the gravitational force is reduced in water.
  • They also concluded that walking in a water treadmill places more demand on the forelimbs than trotting in the same device, as indicated by the more intensified EMG activity.

Cite This Article

APA
Tokuriki M, Ohtsuki R, Kai M, Hiraga A, Oki H, Miyahara Y, Aoki O. (2000). EMG activity of the muscles of the neck and forelimbs during different forms of locomotion. Equine Vet J Suppl(30), 231-234. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05224.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 30
Pages: 231-234

Researcher Affiliations

Tokuriki, M
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University, Japan.
Ohtsuki, R
    Kai, M
      Hiraga, A
        Oki, H
          Miyahara, Y
            Aoki, O

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Electromyography / veterinary
              • Exercise Test / veterinary
              • Forelimb / physiology
              • Horses / physiology
              • Locomotion / physiology
              • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
              • Neck Muscles / physiology
              • Swimming / physiology

              Citations

              This article has been cited 18 times.
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