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Home / Equine Research Bank / Front Vet Sci / Kinematic Analysis During Straight Line Free Swimming in Hor...
Frontiers in veterinary science2022; 8; 761500; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.761500

Kinematic Analysis During Straight Line Free Swimming in Horses: Part 2 – Hindlimbs.

Abstract: Swimming is used for rehabilitation and conditioning purposes in equine sports medicine. We described the swimming kinematics of the equine forelimbs in Part 1. The aim of Part 2 is to assess stifle, tarsus, and hind fetlock joints kinematics in swimming horses. The objectives were 1- to calculate and compare joint angles during swimming against passive mobilizations (PM), 2- to determine joints angular velocities during a swimming stride cycle. Methods: Eleven elite endurance horses were used to swim in a 100-meter straight pool. Underwater (swimming) and overground PM videos were recorded from the horses' left side. Joint markers were applied on the lateral hoof wall, lateral metatarsal epicondyle, lateral aspect of the talus, lateral femoral epicondyle, and great trochanter of the femur. As a reference, maximal fetlock, tarsus, and stifle flexion/extension angles were determined during PM overground. Differences between angle extrema, angular velocities, and range of motion (ROM) were statistically compared. Results: The tarsus ROM was similar during PM and swimming. The stifle and fetlock ROM were greater during PM, although the stifle flexion was greater during swimming. The stifle and tarsus had the greatest hindlimb angular velocity during the swimming cycle. Greater angular velocities were observed during the retraction phase for all the hindlimb joints. Conclusions: A short retraction phase with great angular velocity for the joints of interest characterized the swimming pattern observed. Swimming may be beneficial in horses when an increased ROM of the tarsus and stifle or a reduced fetlock extension is indicated for rehabilitation purposes.
Copyright © 2022 Santosuosso, Leguillette, Vinardell, Filho, Massie, McCrae, Johnson, Rolian and David.
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Publication Date: 2022-01-31 PubMed ID: 35174237PubMed Central: PMC8843043DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.761500Google 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.

The research article explores the kinematics of the hindlimbs of elite endurance horses while swimming, comparing it to their movements during passive mobilizations (PM).

Research Context

  • This study is the second part of a larger examination into horse swimming kinematics, with the first part focusing on the forelimbs.
  • Swimming is often employed in equine sports medicine for conditioning and rehabilitation purposes.
  • The researchers wanted to analyse the movement of the stifle, tarsus, and hind fetlock joints in swimming horses.

Research Methodology

  • Eleven elite endurance horses were selected as subjects. They were made to swim in a 100-meter straight pool.
  • The team used underwater video recordings and marked specific joints on the horses’ left side to accurately calculate the joint angles while swimming.
  • The same joints were also measured during PM overground for comparison.
  • Statistical analysis was conducted on the maximal angles reached during flexion/extension, angular velocities, and overall range of motion (ROM).

Results of the Study

  • During PM and swimming, the ROM of the horse’s tarsus was found to remain similar.
  • The stifle and fetlock displayed greater ROM while undergoing PM, although stifle flexion was more prominent during swimming.
  • During the swimming stride, the greatest angular velocity was recorded in the stifle and tarsus.
  • All hindlimb joints displayed higher angular velocities during the retraction phase of the stroke.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The fast retraction phase and overall high angular velocities for joints were identified as characteristics of the horse’s swimming movement.
  • Swimming might prove beneficial during the rehabilitation of equine athletes requiring an increased ROM in the tarsus and stifle or reduced fetlock extension.

Cite This Article

APA
Santosuosso E, Leguillette R, Vinardell T, Filho S, Massie S, McCrae P, Johnson S, Rolian C, David F. (2022). Kinematic Analysis During Straight Line Free Swimming in Horses: Part 2 – Hindlimbs. Front Vet Sci, 8, 761500. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.761500

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 8
Pages: 761500

Researcher Affiliations

Santosuosso, Emma
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Leguillette, Renaud
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Vinardell, Tatiana
  • Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.
  • College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.
Filho, Silvio
  • Al Shaqab's Endurance Department, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.
Massie, Shannon
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
McCrae, Persephone
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Johnson, Sarah
  • Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.
Rolian, Campbell
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
David, Florent
  • Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Boger B, Naraian M, Hernandez E, Eaton A, Rockburn R, Tillman I, Payne S, Yob C, Panek C, Manfredi JM. Effects of a rehabilitative whole-body resistance band wrap on equine gait, posture, cortisol, and muscular function. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1738766.
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  4. 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.
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