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Equine veterinary journal2009; 41(2); 112-117; doi: 10.2746/042516408x343000

Evidence of the development of ‘domain-restricted’ expertise in the recognition of asymmetric motion characteristics of hindlimb lameness in the horse.

Abstract: Visual assessment of horses' movements is subjective, affected by bias and dependent on the level of experience of the assessor. However, to date there are no data available on the ability of the human visual system to recognise (a)symmetry in moving objects. Objective: To investigate, using visual lameness assessment, the limits of human perception and the ability of experienced and nonexperienced individuals to detect asymmetry in 2 moving objects simulating hindlimb lameness in the horse. Methods: Twelve experienced individuals (equine and small animal clinicians), and 24 nonexperienced individuals (undergraduate veterinary students) were presented with computer simulations showing 2 'tuber coxae markers' created using data from both lame and nonperceptibly lame horses, as well as artificial data based on a sine wave. Individuals were asked to classify as symmetrical or asymmetrical, and then rank based on the grade of perceived asymmetry. Repeatability and learning effect were evaluated by repeating the tests on a subset of subjects. Results: The threshold for detection of movement asymmetry was found to be approximately 25% difference in amplitude between the 2 moving objects for all individuals. There was no significant difference between experienced and nonexperienced individuals in the ability to detect asymmetry in the simulations based on artificial data. However, the percentage of correct answers was higher for experienced compared to nonexperienced individuals for simulations based on data from real lame horses. Conclusions: There was a significant difference between experienced and nonexperienced individuals in the ability to identify asymmetric movement based on the pattern seen in a lame horse, as opposed to an artificial pattern for which all individuals showed similar performance. Conclusions: The study provides the basis for the development of computer simulations that could aid in training veterinarians in the diagnosis of lameness and, even, the objective assessment of expertise in this field.
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Publication Date: 2009-05-08 PubMed ID: 19418737DOI: 10.2746/042516408x343000Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 study examines the ability of individuals, whether experienced or not, to detect uneven movement patterns in two objects that simulate the limping of horses’ hind legs. The study found that experienced individuals were more successful at recognizing lameness based on the patterns displayed by actual lame horses, as opposed to artificial patterns, suggesting the existence of ‘domain-restricted’ expertise and providing a basis for the development of training simulations.

Objective of the Research

  • The research was intended to explore human perception limits, specifically regarding the detection of symmetry or asymmetry in moving objects that mimic the movement of hindlimb lameness in horses. This topic remains under-studied with no existing data on the capability of the human visual system to identify symmetry in moving objects.

Methodology

  • A total of 36 individuals, split into two groups of 12 experienced clinicians and 24 inexperienced veterinary students, were shown computer simulations of two ‘tuber coxae markers’.
  • The markers were created using data from both lame and non-lamely perceptible horses as well as artificial data via a sine wave. Each participant was then tasked to identify the symmetrical or asymmetrical markers and rank them based on the grade of perceived asymmetry.
  • Tests were repeated on a subset of subjects to evaluate their repeatability and learning effect.

Results

  • The overall detection threshold of movement asymmetry was approximately 25% in amplitude difference between the two moving objects for all participants.
  • No significant difference was found between inexperienced and experienced individuals when it comes to detecting asymmetry based on the simulations created from artificial data.
  • In contrast, experienced individuals were found to have a higher success rate of correctly answering when it comes to simulations based on data collected from actual lame horses.

Conclusions

  • The study highlights a significant difference in the ability to identify asymmetric movement between inexperienced and experienced individuals. Their recognition becomes more pronounced when observing patterns related to an actual lame horse rather than an artificially created pattern.
  • The results form a foundational baseline for creating computer simulations aimed to assist veterinarians in diagnosing lameness or even providing an objective measure of expertise in the field.

Cite This Article

APA
Parkes RS, Weller R, Groth AM, May S, Pfau T. (2009). Evidence of the development of ‘domain-restricted’ expertise in the recognition of asymmetric motion characteristics of hindlimb lameness in the horse. Equine Vet J, 41(2), 112-117. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516408x343000

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 41
Issue: 2
Pages: 112-117

Researcher Affiliations

Parkes, R S V
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK.
Weller, R
    Groth, A M
      May, S
        Pfau, T

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Clinical Competence
          • Computer Simulation
          • Diagnosis, Differential
          • Discriminant Analysis
          • Female
          • Gait / physiology
          • Hindlimb / physiology
          • Hindlimb / physiopathology
          • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
          • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
          • Horse Diseases / physiopathology
          • Horses
          • Humans
          • Kinetics
          • Lameness, Animal / diagnosis
          • Lameness, Animal / epidemiology
          • Lameness, Animal / physiopathology
          • Locomotion / physiology
          • Male
          • Movement / physiology
          • Observer Variation
          • Veterinarians / psychology

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          This article has been cited 29 times.
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