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Joint work and power for both the forelimb and hindlimb during trotting in the horse.
Abstract: The net work of the limbs during constant speed over level ground should be zero. However, the partitioning of negative and positive work between the fore- and hindlimbs of a quadruped is not likely to be equal because the forelimb produces a net braking force while the hindlimb produces a net propulsive force. It was hypothesized that the forelimb would do net negative work while the hindlimb did net positive work during trotting in the horse. Because vertical and horizontal impulses remain unchanged across speeds it was hypothesized that net work of both limbs would be independent of speed. Additionally because the major mass of limb musculature is located proximally, it was hypothesized that proximal joints would do more work than distal joints. Kinetic and kinematic analysis were combined using inverse dynamics to calculate work and power for each joint of horses trotting at between 2.5 and 5.0 m s(-1). Work done by the hindlimb was indeed positive (consistently 0.34 J kg(-1) across all speeds), but, contrary to our hypothesis, net work by the forelimb was essentially zero (but also independent of trotting speed). The zero net work of the forelimb may be the consequence of our not being able to account, experimentally, for the negative work done by the extrinsic muscles connecting the scapula and the thorax. The distal three joints of both limbs behaved elastically with a period of energy absorption followed by energy return. Proximal forelimb joints (elbow and shoulder) did no net work, because there was very little movement of the elbow and shoulder during the portion of stance when an extensor moment was greatest. Of the two proximal hindlimb joints, the hip did positive work during the stride, generating energy almost throughout stance. The knee did some work, but like the forelimb proximal joints, had little movement during the middle of stance when the flexion moment was the greatest, probably serving to allow the efficient transmission of energy from the hip musculature to the ground.
Publication Date: 2006-10-07 PubMed ID: 17023593DOI: 10.1242/jeb.02471Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- N.I.H.
- Extramural
Summary
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The research investigates the distribution of work and power between the forelimbs and hindlimbs during a horse’s trot, discovering that the hindlimbs do positive work, whereas the forelimbs essentially do zero work, contrary to initial expectations. The change in energy in leg muscles, their positioning, and trotting speed were variables taken into account.
Distribution of Work and Power in Limbs
- The researchers hypothesized that the forelimbs, producing a net braking force, would do negative work, while the hindlimbs, with a net propulsive force, would perform positive work.
- Contrary to expectations, they found that the forelimbs did essentially zero work and the hindlimbs did positive work consistently.
- This finding warrants further investigation into the engagement of different muscles in the forelimbs during the trot.
Impact of Trotting Speed and Other Factors
- The researchers further hypothesized that work done by both limbs would remain unchanged irrespective of trotting speed, due to unchanged vertical and horizontal impulses.
- As per the findings, the work done by both limbs did remain independent of trotting speed.
- This suggests a standard and consistent division of work and power between the forelimbs and hindlimbs during trotting at different speeds.
Role of Musculature and Joint Positioning
- The research hypothesized that proximal joints, due to the major mass of limb musculature located there, would do more work than distal joints.
- However, the findings showed that there was little movement of proximal forelimb joints (elbow and shoulder) and thus, they did no net work. This deviated from their hypothesis.
- The distal joints of both limbs showed elastic behavior absorbing energy which was then returned, unlike proximal joints of the hindlimb which did positive work. The knee, though doing some work, had little movement when the leg was strongly flexed, indicating a probable role in efficient energy transmission from hip muscles to the ground.
The research paper provides new insights into the contrasting role of forcacteria and hindlimbs of horses during trotting and the variable contributions of different joints and muscles.
Cite This Article
APA
Dutto DJ, Hoyt DF, Clayton HM, Cogger EA, Wickler SJ.
(2006).
Joint work and power for both the forelimb and hindlimb during trotting in the horse.
J Exp Biol, 209(Pt 20), 3990-3999.
https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.02471 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Physical Education and Health, Eastern Oregon University, La Grande, OR 97850, USA. ddutto@eou.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Elasticity
- Energy Metabolism
- Forelimb / anatomy & histology
- Forelimb / physiology
- Hindlimb / anatomy & histology
- Hindlimb / physiology
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / physiology
- Joints / anatomy & histology
- Joints / physiology
- Models, Biological
- Running / physiology
Grant Funding
- S06 GM53933 / NIGMS NIH HHS
Citations
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