Swing phase kinematic and kinetic response to weighting the hind pasterns.
Abstract: It is considered that specific exercises to strengthen limb musculature would be helpful. Objective: To describe swing phase kinematic and kinetic changes in the hindlimbs of trotting horses in response to the addition of leg weights to the hind pasterns. Methods: Six horses were prepared by placing reflective skin markers on the hindlimbs, the withers and fore hooves. Horses were evaluated at trot for 6 trials with and without leg weights (700 g) attached around the pasterns, with the 2 conditions applied in random order. The markers were tracked to determine peak heights of the flight arc of the hind hooves and swing phase joint angulations. Inverse dynamic analysis was used to calculate positive and negative work done across each joint in the first and second halves of the swing phase. Comparisons between conditions were made using paired t tests (normally distributed data) or the Wilcoxon rank-sum test (non-normally distributed data). Results: Peak height of the flight arc of the hind hooves was significantly higher with leg weights as a result of increased flexions of the stifle, tarsal and metatarsophalangeal joints. Increased positive (concentric) work was performed by the hip and tarsal musculature to protract and raise the limb in early swing, then to retract and lower the limb in late swing. Increased negative (eccentric) work was performed across the stifle and metatarsophalangeal joints to control their movements in response to increases in inertia and momentum due to the weights. Conclusions: The addition of weight to the hind pasterns stimulates increased muscular activity across all the hindlimb joints from the hip to the metatarsophalangeal joint. Conclusions: The addition of weight to the hind pasterns may have therapeutic applications in activating and strengthening the hindlimb musculature. This is particularly relevant in the hip region, which appears more sensitive and responsive to the effect of weights than to tactile stimulation alone.
© 2010 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2010-08-23 PubMed ID: 21592217DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00139.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study examines the impact of adding weights to the hind legs of trotting horses and measures how this changes their leg movements and muscle engagement. The results suggest that adding weights increases muscle activity across all joints in the hind leg, potentially offering a therapeutic method for strengthening these muscles.
Research Methodology
- This study involved six horses where reflective markers were attached to critical areas such as the hind limbs, withers and fore hooves.
- The horses were then trotted for six trials, some with hind leg weights of 700 grams and some without, in random order.
- The scientists tracked the reflective markers to determine various movement measures, like peak heights of the flight arc of the hind hooves and joint angulations during the swing phase.
- Additionally, an inverse dynamic analysis was used to calculate work done across each joint in the first and second halves of the swing phase.
- Data was compared through specific tests such as paired t tests for normally distributed data or the Wilcoxon rank-sum test for non-normally distributed data.
Study Results
- The study found that adding weights to the hind legs led to a significant increase in the peak height of the flight arc of the hind hooves.
- This was due to increased flexing of the stifle, tarsal, and metatarsophalangeal joints.
- Increased positive work was performed by the hip and tarsal muscles to lift and move the limb during the early swing phase and then to lower and retract the limb during the late swing phase.
- Conversely, negative work increased across the stifle and metatarsophalangeal joints to control their movements in response to the added inertia and momentum from the weights.
Study Conclusions
- The study concludes that adding weights to the hind pasterns of trotting horses increases muscle activity across all hind limb joints, potentially strengthening these muscles.
- This method might therefore have therapeutic benefits, particularly for the hip region which appears more sensitive and responsive to the introduction of weights.
- This suggests a potential new technique for strengthening the muscularity of the hind limbs in horses, beyond existing tactile stimulation methods.
Cite This Article
APA
Clayton HM, Lavagnino M, Kaiser LJ, Stubbs NC.
(2010).
Swing phase kinematic and kinetic response to weighting the hind pasterns.
Equine Vet J, 43(2), 210-215.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00139.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, Michigan, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Gait / physiology
- Hindlimb / physiology
- Horses / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Symons J. Mechanical Effect of Performance Pressure Boots on Cadaveric Equine Hindlimb Fetlock Biomechanics. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 30;11(4).
- Greco-Otto P, Baggaley M, Edwards WB, Léguillette R. Water treadmill exercise reduces equine limb segmental accelerations and increases shock attenuation. BMC Vet Res 2019 Sep 13;15(1):329.
- Bergh A, Gómez Álvarez CB, Rhodin M, Gustås P. Head and pelvic vertical displacement in dogs with induced swinging limb lameness: an experimental study. Acta Vet Scand 2018 Dec 29;60(1):81.
- Nowicka B, Polkowska I, Zeliszewska-Duk P, Torres A, Duk M. Molecular Assessment of Plasma Concentrations of Selected Adipokines and IL-8 in Horses with Back Pain and Comorbid Asthma-Based on Clinical Cases. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jan 22;15(3).
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