High-speed gallop locomotion in the Thoroughbred racehorse. II. The effect of incline on centre of mass movement and mechanical energy fluctuation.
Abstract: During locomotion on an incline, mechanical work is performed to move an animal up the slope and increase the potential energy (PE) of the trunk and hence the centre of mass (CoM). Thus, at a given speed the total net mechanical work increases with the PE of the animal. In this study we investigate the mechanical energy (ME) fluctuations and the mechanical cost of transport (MCT) in six horses galloping up a range of gradients. We captured trunk movement with a six degrees-of-freedom inertial sensor mounted over the dorsal spinous process of the fourth to sixth thoracic vertebrae of the horse. Footfall timings were measured using a previously validated system of limb-mounted accelerometers. Speed was measured using a Global Positioning System (GPS) data logger. A track survey provided detailed incline information for the track. Linear (craniocaudal, mediolateral and dorsoventral) and rotational (roll, pitch and heading) kinematic parameters (displacement, velocity and acceleration) were calculated at speeds ranging from 9.0 to 12.0 m s(-1) during routine training over a range of inclines. Estimates of ME fluctuations and the MCT were made. Results showed the effect of incline on trunk motion during galloping was small. Increases in linear mechanical work and MCT were primarily explained by an increase in the work required to move the animal up the slope (and increase the PE of the CoM). Within the stride the majority of the work was performed during hindlimb stance. Our results have provided new insights into how horses power uphill locomotion.
Publication Date: 2008-03-04 PubMed ID: 18310120DOI: 10.1242/jeb.006692Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research investigates how incline impacts the mechanical energy changes and mechanical cost of transportation when horses gallop up slopes of varying degrees. It was found that most of the work is carried out during the hindlimb stance and increased effort is needed to move uphill, which corresponds to a rise in the horse’s potential energy.
Methods and Techniques
- The experiment involved six racehorses galloping at speeds between 9.0 to 12.0 m/s across different gradients.
- An inertial sensor was attached to the horses’ thoracic vertebrae to capture trunk movements in six degrees of freedom. This sensor provided information on linear movements (back and forth, side to side, up and down) and rotational movements (roll, pitch and heading).
- Footfall timings were recorded through a tried and tested system of accelerometers strapped to the horses’ limbs.
- The horses’ speed was tracked using a GPS data logger.
- Details regarding the track’s inclines were procured via a track survey.
- Calculations of displacement, velocity, and acceleration were made based on the collected kinematic data.
- Total mechanical energy fluctuations and mechanical cost of transport were estimated from these measurements.
Findings
- The results depicted that incline had a minor effect on the horse’s trunk movement while galloping.
- The need for increased work to maneuver the horse uphill was demonstrated by the rise in linear mechanical work and MCT. This work led to increased potential energy of the horse’s center of mass (CoM).
- The majority of the work within a stride was performed during the stance of the hindlimbs.
Significance
- This research offers novel insights into the mechanics of uphill locomotion in galloping horses. Understanding these dynamics improves our knowledge on how animals move on various terrains, which can impact fields like veterinary medicine and animal sports training.
Cite This Article
APA
Parsons KJ, Pfau T, Ferrari M, Wilson AM.
(2008).
High-speed gallop locomotion in the Thoroughbred racehorse. II. The effect of incline on centre of mass movement and mechanical energy fluctuation.
J Exp Biol, 211(Pt 6), 945-956.
https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.006692 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK. kparsons@rvc.ac.uk
MeSH Terms
- Acceleration
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Data Interpretation, Statistical
- Forelimb / physiology
- Gait / physiology
- Hindlimb / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Humans
- Models, Biological
- Muscle Contraction / physiology
- Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
- Running / physiology
Grant Funding
- S20242 / Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Starke SD, Clayton HM. A universal approach to determine footfall timings from kinematics of a single foot marker in hoofed animals. PeerJ 2015;3:e783.
- Self ZT, Spence AJ, Wilson AM. Speed and incline during thoroughbred horse racing: racehorse speed supports a metabolic power constraint to incline running but not to decline running. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2012 Aug 15;113(4):602-7.
- Starke SD, Robilliard JJ, Weller R, Wilson AM, Pfau T. Walk-run classification of symmetrical gaits in the horse: a multidimensional approach. J R Soc Interface 2009 Apr 6;6(33):335-42.
- Legg KA, Cochrane DJ, Gee EK, Chin YY, Rogers CW. Relationship between experience and head kinematics in race riding jockeys. Sci Rep 2025 Apr 26;15(1):14686.
- Takahashi Y, Takahashi T, Mukai K, Ebisuda Y, Ohmura H. Changes in muscle activation with graded surfaces during canter in Thoroughbred horses on a treadmill. PLoS One 2024;19(6):e0305622.
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