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Equine veterinary journal2025; doi: 10.1111/evj.70114

Quantitative assessment of gait alterations and variability in sulky-driven Standardbred trotters after a standardised exercise test.

Abstract: Assessment of equine metabolic and locomotory responses to quantified levels of physical exercise is needed to support the creation of tailored protocols for optimal training adaptation. The locomotory response to exercise in horses is not fully understood. Objective: To investigate the effect of a standardised exercise test (SET) on upper-body and limb kinematics and stride-to-stride variability in Standardbred Warmblood trotters. Methods: Experimental repeated-measures field study. Methods: Thirteen Standardbred trotters, equipped with nine inertial measurement units (IMUs), performed an incremental SET on an oval track. Heart rate and lactate data were collected to identify internal workload. Two 30-s segments of jog on the straight (at the beginning and at the end of the SET) were used for statistical analysis of the effect of the SET on locomotion parameters. Results: Upper-body kinematics revealed a decrease in head and withers range of motion (ROM; -12.3 mm; p = 0.04 and -8.5 mm; p = 0.01, respectively). Front limb sagittal ROM (16.1°; p = 0.001) increased explained by increased maximal protraction and retraction (6.9°, p = 0.002 and 9.1°, p = 0.002, respectively). Stride-to-stride variability (i.e., coefficient of variation) was reduced for stride duration (-0.7%; p = 0.01), front limb sagittal ROM (-7.3%; p = 0.04), front limb maximal protraction (-6.9%; p = 0.01) and maximal retraction (-7.4%; p = 0.03). No effects were found on sagittal hindlimb angles and none of the absolute asymmetry parameters changed (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Horses were of different ages and training statuses, and full orthopaedic examinations were not performed. Conclusions: Several kinematic parameters were affected by the SET. Head and withers ROM were reduced, while front limb sagittal ROM increased. Stride-to-stride variability showed a decrease. The results indicate that exercise in Standardbred trotters produces both a metabolic and locomotory response. Additionally, these findings highlight the efficacy of IMUs as a non-invasive tool for detecting exercise-induced changes in limb and upper-body kinematics.
© 2025 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2025-11-06 PubMed ID: 41199399DOI: 10.1111/evj.70114Google 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.

Overview

  • This study investigated how a standardized exercise test (SET) affects the movement patterns and consistency of gait in Standardbred trotters pulling a sulky, using wearable sensors to measure precise changes in limb and upper-body motion.

Background and Purpose

  • Understanding how horses respond metabolically and in their movement to exercise is important for designing optimal training programs.
  • The specific changes in gait mechanics following exercise in horses are not fully known.
  • The study aimed to quantify how an SET influenced upper-body and limb movements as well as stride-to-stride variability in Standardbred Warmblood trotters.

Methods

  • Participants: Thirteen Standardbred trotters of varied ages and training levels.
  • Instrumentation: Each horse was equipped with nine inertial measurement units (IMUs) attached to different body locations to capture detailed kinematic data.
  • Exercise Protocol: Horses performed an incremental standardized exercise test on an oval track pulling a sulky.
  • Data Collected:
    • Heart rate and blood lactate levels were measured to assess internal workload (physiological stress) during exercise.
    • Kinematic data were recorded continuously via IMUs.
  • Analysis Focus:
    • Two specific 30-second segments of jogging on the straightaway — one before and one after the SET — were analyzed to study changes induced by exercise.
    • Parameters measured included range of motion (ROM) of the head, withers, front limbs, and hindlimbs, plus stride-to-stride variability metrics such as coefficient of variation for stride durations and limb angles.

Key Findings

  • Upper-Body Kinematics:
    • Range of motion decreased in the head (-12.3 mm) and withers (-8.5 mm) following the SET, indicating less movement in these regions with exercise.
  • Front Limb Movements:
    • Sagittal plane ROM of the front limbs increased (+16.1°), driven by increased maximal forward (protraction +6.9°) and backward (retraction +9.1°) limb movements.
  • Stride-to-Stride Variability:
    • Variability decreased in several parameters post-SET, meaning horses moved more consistently:
      • Stride duration variability reduced by 0.7%
      • Variability in front limb sagittal ROM reduced by 7.3%
      • Variability in front limb maximal protraction reduced by 6.9%
      • Variability in front limb maximal retraction reduced by 7.4%
  • Hindlimb Angles and Symmetry:
    • No significant changes were detected in sagittal plane angles of the hindlimbs.
    • Measures of gait asymmetry remained unchanged, suggesting no exercise-induced lameness or unevenness developed.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The standardized exercise test induced measurable changes in the locomotion of Standardbred trotters, reflected in both decreased upper-body motion and increased front limb motion range.
  • Reduced stride-to-stride variability indicates that the trotters moved more rhythmically and consistently after exercise.
  • These changes correspond to both metabolic and biomechanical responses to physical exertion.
  • The use of IMUs proved effective as a non-invasive tool to detect such subtle exercise-induced kinematic changes, supporting their potential utility in equine sports medicine and training monitoring.
  • Limitations include the heterogeneity in ages and training statuses of the horses and the absence of comprehensive orthopedic examinations, which could influence kinematic patterns.
  • Future work could leverage similar methodologies to tailor training regimens and detect early signs of musculoskeletal issues in performance horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Aarts RM, Smit IH, Ferraz GC, Rhodin M, Serra Braganca FM, Hernlund E. (2025). Quantitative assessment of gait alterations and variability in sulky-driven Standardbred trotters after a standardised exercise test. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.70114

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Aarts, Rhana Mackie
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Smit, Ineke Hillie
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Ferraz, Guilherme de Camargo
  • Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, Equine Exercise Physiology and Pharmacology Laboratory (LAFEQ), Jaboticabal, Brazil.
Rhodin, Marie
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Serra Braganca, Filipe Manuel
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Hernlund, Elin
  • Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.

Grant Funding

  • E114697 / Eurostars
  • 2022/16436-1 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

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