Forelimb kinematics and net joint moments during the swing phase of the trot.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to calculate net moments of force at the joints of the forelimb during the swing phase of the stride. An optoelectronic system was used to measure segmental kinematics for 3 strides in 5 sound, Warmblood horses trotting at a mean velocity +/- s.d. of 3.03 +/- 0.16 m/s. A link segment model was used to determine the net moments of force about the joints of the left forelimb. The model combined kinematic data with morphometric data describing the inertial parameters of the limb segments of warmblood horses, and incorporated correction factors for skin displacement. At each joint the net moment of force was on the cranial/dorsal side during the early swing phase and on the caudal/palmar side during the later swing phase. The transition (time of zero moment) occurred between 35-52% of the swing phase. The peak magnitude of the net joint moments decreased progressively in a proximal to distal direction. Published electromyographic (EMG) data correlated well with the timing of muscular activity required to generate the calculated net joint moments. The moments in the proximal limb are indicative of muscular activity accelerating the limb forward during the first 30-40% of the swing phase, then decelerating the forward swing of the upper limb segments. The net joint moments at all of the joints except the elbow work to slow the motion of the joints. The net joint moment about the elbow actively flex and then extend the joint. The low net joint moments at the distal joints during the first half of swing are consistent with their motion being primarily a result of inertial forces. Flexor muscle activity during the last half of swing indicate active control in preparation for ground contact.
Publication Date: 2000-02-05 PubMed ID: 10659259DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05225.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigates the force exerted at the joints of a horse’s forelimb during its trotting motion. The study combines kinematic data with morphometric data to calculate these forces and reveals that they vary according to the swinging phase and joint location.
Methods
- The study involved five healthy Warmblood horses. Their trotting was recorded using an optoelectronic system for three strides at an average velocity of 3.03+/-0.16 m/s.
- The researchers used a link segment model to calculate net force moments at various joints in the horse’s forelimb. This model combined kinematic data (movement specifics) with morphometric data (physical measurements).
- The model also included corrections for skin displacement, meaning the external movement of the horse’s skin over its skeletal structure during motion was accounted for.
Findings
- The force moments were found on the cranial/dorsal side at the beginning of the swing phase, and on the caudal/palmar side during the latter part. The transition time when force moments switched sides ranged from 35% to 52% of the swing phase.
- The highest net joint moments decreased from the proximal limb (nearer to the body of the animal) to the distal direction (further from the body).
- Published electromyographic (EMG) data, which records muscular activity, was found to correlate with the timing of the force moments, suggesting that the latter successfully reflect the muscular activity involved in trotting.
- During the early 30-40% of the swing phase, muscular activity indicated the acceleration of the limb. During the later stages, the muscular activity decelerated the forward swing of the upper limb.
- The low net joint moments at the distal joints during the first half of the swing suggest that their motion is primarily maintained by inertia.
- During the last half of the swing, increased flexor muscle activity signifies active control of the trotting motion, in preparation for landing back onto the ground.
Implications
- This research provides valuable insights into the internal movement dynamics of horses during trotting. It could potentially assist in the design of training protocols, therapeutic interventions, and the improvement of horse-riding equipment.
- The findings could also contribute to veterinary medicine, particularly in the diagnostic assessment of equine locomotor diseases or dysfunctions.
Cite This Article
APA
Lanovaz JL, Clayton HM, Colborne GR, Schamhardt HC.
(2000).
Forelimb kinematics and net joint moments during the swing phase of the trot.
Equine Vet J Suppl(30), 235-239.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05225.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Elbow Joint / physiology
- Forelimb / physiology
- Gait / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Joints / physiology
- Muscle Contraction / physiology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Parmentier JIM, Bosch S, van der Zwaag BJ, Weishaupt MA, Gmel AI, Havinga PJM, van Weeren PR, Braganca FMS. Prediction of continuous and discrete kinetic parameters in horses from inertial measurement units data using recurrent artificial neural networks. Sci Rep 2023 Jan 13;13(1):740.
- Santosuosso E, Leguillette R, Vinardell T, Filho S, Massie S, McCrae P, Johnson S, Rolian C, David F. Kinematic Analysis During Straight Line Free Swimming in Horses: Part 1 - Forelimbs. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:752375.
- Stutz JC, Vidondo B, Ramseyer A, Maninchedda UE, Cruz AM. Effect of three types of horseshoes and unshod feet on selected non-podal forelimb kinematic variables measured by an extremity mounted inertial measurement unit sensor system in sound horses at the trot under conditions of treadmill and soft geotextile surface exercise. Vet Rec Open 2018;5(1):e000237.
- Gottleib K, Trager-Burns L, Santonastaso A, Bogers S, Werre S, Burns T, Byron C. Comparison of Gait Characteristics for Horses Without Shoes, with Steel Shoes, and with Aluminum Shoes. Animals (Basel) 2025 Aug 13;15(16).
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