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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Muscle Function and Kinematics during Submaximal Equine Jump...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(2); 414; doi: 10.3390/ani11020414

Muscle Function and Kinematics during Submaximal Equine Jumping: What Can Objective Outcomes Tell Us about Athletic Performance Indicators?

Abstract: Selection and training practices for jumping horses have not yet been validated using objective performance analyses. This study aimed to quantify the differences and relationships between movement and muscle activation strategies in horses with varying jump technique to identify objective jumping performance indicators. Surface electromyography (sEMG) and three-dimensional kinematic data were collected from horses executing a submaximal jump. Kinematic variables were calculated based on equestrian-derived performance indicators relating to impulsion, engagement and joint articulation. Horses were grouped using an objective performance indicator-center of mass (CM) elevation during jump suspension (Z). Between-group differences in kinematic variables and muscle activation timings, calculated from sEMG data, were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) evaluated between-group differences in time and amplitude-normalized sEMG waveforms. Relationships between movement and muscle activation were evaluated using Pearson correlation coefficients. Horses with the greatest Z displayed significantly ( < 0.05) shorter gluteal contractions at take-off, which were significantly correlated ( < 0.05) with a faster approach and more rapid hindlimb shortening and CM vertical displacement and velocity, as well as shorter hindlimb stance duration at take-off. Findings provide objective support for prioritizing equestrian-derived performance indicators related to the generation of engagement, impulsion and hindlimb muscle power when selecting or training jumping horses.
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Publication Date: 2021-02-05 PubMed ID: 33562875PubMed Central: PMC7915507DOI: 10.3390/ani11020414Google 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 focuses on determining objective performance indicators for selecting and training jumping horses through an analysis of muscle activation strategies and movements during submaximal jumps.

Research Objective

The aim of the study was to provide an objective basis for selecting and training horses intended for jump events. The researchers hypothesized that differences in jumping techniques among horses could be quantified using electromyography and three-dimensional kinematics to help establish objective performance indicators.

Methodology

  • Surface electromyography (sEMG) and three-dimensional kinematic data were collected from horses executing submaximal jumps.
  • Horses were grouped based on the elevation of the center of their mass during jump suspension (Z).
  • Differences in kinematic variables and muscle activation timings were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
  • The researchers used statistical parametric mapping (SPM) to evaluate the differences in time and amplitude-normalized electromyography waveforms between groups.
  • Pearson correlation coefficients were applied to evaluate the relationship between muscle activation and movement.

Key Findings

  • Horses with the most significant center of mass elevation during jump display significantly shorter gluteal contractions, which correlated with a faster approach, more rapid hindlimb shortening, and faster center of mass vertical displacement and velocity, as well as shorter hindlimb stance duration at take-off.
  • The findings suggest that coaches and equestrian experts should assess a horse’s engagement, hindlimb muscle power, and impulsion when selecting and training jump horses – these factors are significantly correlated with improved jumping performance.

Conclusion

The study offers an objective basis for prioritizing specific jumping performance indicators, which can prove beneficial in the selection and training processes for jumping horses. The scientific validation of performance indicators can also contribute to a better understanding of jumping kinematics, further enhancing our ability to develop superior training and selection methodologies.

Cite This Article

APA
St George L, Clayton HM, Sinclair J, Richards J, Roy SH, Hobbs SJ. (2021). Muscle Function and Kinematics during Submaximal Equine Jumping: What Can Objective Outcomes Tell Us about Athletic Performance Indicators? Animals (Basel), 11(2), 414. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020414

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 2
PII: 414

Researcher Affiliations

St George, Lindsay
  • School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK.
Clayton, Hilary M
  • Sport Horse Science, Mason, MI 48824, USA.
Sinclair, Jonathan
  • School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK.
Richards, James
  • School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK.
Roy, Serge H
  • Delsys/Altec Inc., Natick, MA 01760, USA.
Hobbs, Sarah Jane
  • School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 13 times.
  1. St George L, Spoormakers TJP, Roy SH, Hobbs SJ, Clayton HM, Richards J, Serra Bragança FM. Reliability of surface electromyographic (sEMG) measures of equine axial and appendicular muscles during overground trot. PLoS One 2023;18(7):e0288664.
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  5. Ursini T, Shaw K, Levine D, Richards J, Adair HS. Electromyography of the Multifidus Muscle in Horses Trotting During Therapeutic Exercises. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:844776.
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    doi: 10.3390/ani15213189pubmed: 41227519google scholar: lookup
  9. Corbally AF, Mulligan FJ, Sweeney T, Fahey AG. Phenotypic Associations Between Linearly Scored Traits and Sport Horse Auction Sales Price in Ireland. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 29;15(15).
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  10. Domino M, Borowska M, Stefanik E, Domańska-Kruppa N, Skibniewski M, Turek B. The Effect of Filtering on Signal Features of Equine sEMG Collected During Overground Locomotion in Basic Gaits. Sensors (Basel) 2025 May 8;25(10).
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  11. 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.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305622pubmed: 38875264google scholar: lookup
  12. St George LB, Spoormakers TJP, Hobbs SJ, Clayton HM, Roy SH, Richards J, Serra Bragança FM. Classification performance of sEMG and kinematic parameters for distinguishing between non-lame and induced lameness conditions in horses. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1358986.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1358986pubmed: 38628939google scholar: lookup
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    doi: 10.3390/ani13111755pubmed: 37889657google scholar: lookup
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