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Journal of anatomy2003; 203(1); 101-113; doi: 10.1046/j.1469-7580.2003.00206.x

Force- and moment-generating capacities of muscles in the distal forelimb of the horse.

Abstract: A detailed musculoskeletal model of the distal equine forelimb was developed to study the influence of musculoskeletal geometry (i.e. muscle paths) and muscle physiology (i.e. force-length properties) on the force- and moment-generating capacities of muscles crossing the carpal and metacarpophalangeal joints. The distal forelimb skeleton was represented as a five degree-of-freedom kinematic linkage comprised of eight bones (humerus, radius and ulna combined, proximal carpus, distal carpus, metacarpus, proximal phalanx, intermediate phalanx and distal phalanx) and seven joints (elbow, radiocarpal, intercarpal, carpometacarpal, metacarpophalangeal (MCP), proximal interphalangeal (pastern) and distal interphalangeal (coffin)). Bone surfaces were reconstructed from computed tomography scans obtained from the left forelimb of a Thoroughbred horse. The model was actuated by nine muscle-tendon units. Each unit was represented as a three-element Hill-type muscle in series with an elastic tendon. Architectural parameters specifying the force-producing properties of each muscle-tendon unit were found by dissecting seven forelimbs from five Thoroughbred horses. Maximum isometric moments were calculated for a wide range of joint angles by fully activating the extensor and flexor muscles crossing the carpus and MCP joint. Peak isometric moments generated by the flexor muscles were an order of magnitude greater than those generated by the extensor muscles at both the carpus and the MCP joint. For each flexor muscle in the model, the shape of the maximum isometric joint moment-angle curve was dominated by the variation in muscle force. By contrast, the moment-angle curves for the muscles that extend the MCP joint were determined mainly by the variation in muscle moment arms. The suspensory and check ligaments contributed more than half of the total support moment developed about the MCP joint in the model. When combined with appropriate in vivo measurements of joint kinematics and ground-reaction forces, the model may be used to determine muscle-tendon and joint-reaction forces generated during gait.
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Publication Date: 2003-08-02 PubMed ID: 12892409PubMed Central: PMC1571149DOI: 10.1046/j.1469-7580.2003.00206.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This study is focusing on the development of a comprehensive musculoskeletal model of a horse’s distal forelimb, exploring how muscle path and muscle physiology affect the force and movement generated by muscles located around specific joints.

Musculoskeletal Model Construction

The first step in the research was the construction of a musculoskeletal model to represent a horse’s distal forelimb. This model includes:

  • The aforementioned is a complex articulation of eight bones, including the humerus, radius, and ulna, among others.
  • It also reflects seven distinct joint areas, such as the elbow and various parts of the hoof, including the coffin, pastern, and MCP joint.
  • Experimental data, which were obtained through CT scans of the left forelimb of a Thoroughbred horse, and by dissecting seven forelimbs from five different Thoroughbred horses, were used to accurately represent the structure and geometry of the forelimb.
  • The model was then actuated using nine muscle-tendon units, represented as a three-element Hill-type muscle coupled with an elastic tendon, each specified by architectural parameters found in the dissections.

Calculating Force and Moments

After constructing the model, the researchers then calculated the force- and moment-generating capacities of the muscles:

  • They did this by fully activating the extensor and flexor muscles crossing the carpal and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints across a range of joint angles.
  • The research showed that the flexor muscles produced significantly greater peak isometric moments than the extensor muscles at both the carpus and the MCP joint.
  • In addition, the forces produced by each flexor muscle were found to be the main driver for the maximum isometric joint moment-angle curve, while the muscles extending the MCP joint were affected more by variations in the muscle moment arms.

Contribution of Ligaments

The suspensory and check ligaments, as per the model, accounted for more than half of the total support moment produced at the MCP joint, indicating their considerable contribution to the structural integrity of this joint.

Application of the Model

The constructed model could be used in conjunction with in vivo measurements of joint kinematics and ground-reaction forces in order to determine the forces produced by the muscle-tendon units and the joint-reaction forces generated during a horse’s gait. This could provide more insight into the functional mechanisms of a horse’s gallop, potentially benefiting areas such as veterinary medicine, horse training, and animal locomotion studies.

Cite This Article

APA
Brown NA, Pandy MG, Kawcak CE, McIlwraith CW. (2003). Force- and moment-generating capacities of muscles in the distal forelimb of the horse. J Anat, 203(1), 101-113. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-7580.2003.00206.x

Publication

Journal of anatomy
ISSN: 0021-8782
NlmUniqueID: 0137162
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 203
Issue: 1
Pages: 101-113

Researcher Affiliations

Brown, Nicholas A T
  • Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, USA. Nick.Brown@hsc.utah.edu
Pandy, Marcus G
    Kawcak, Christopher E
      McIlwraith, C Wayne

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Biomechanical Phenomena
        • Computer Simulation
        • Forelimb
        • Horses / physiology
        • Isometric Contraction / physiology
        • Joints / physiology
        • Ligaments / physiology
        • Models, Anatomic
        • Movement / physiology
        • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology

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