The effect of centre of mass location on sagittal plane moments around the centre of mass in trotting horses.
Abstract: The diagonal limb support pattern at trot provides pitch and roll stability, but little is known about the control of moments about the centre of mass (COM) in horses. Correct COM location is critical in the calculation of pitching moments. The objectives were to determine the effect of COM location on pitching moments in trotting horses and explore how COM location could influence balance. Kinematic (120 Hz) and GRF (4 force plates, 960 Hz) data were collected at trot from three trials of eight horses. The position of the COM was determined from the weighted summation of the segmental COMs and this was then manipulated cranially and caudally to test the model. Sagittal-plane moments around the COM were calculated for each manipulation of the model and their relationship determined using reduced major axis regression. Over the stride, the moments must sum to zero to prevent accumulation of rotational motion. This was found when the weight on the forelimbs in standing was 58.7% ± 3% (mean ± 95% C.I.), which corresponded closely to the COP ratio in standing. Moments were typically nose-up at foot strike changing to nose-down prior to midstance, and then reversing to nose-up in late stance. Mean moments were larger in the hindlimbs and more sensitive to COM location changes. Divergence of the COM from the COP creating a vertical force moment arm prior to midstance may assist the hindlimb in relation to propulsive effort. A similar effect is seen in the forelimb during single limb support.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2014-02-21 PubMed ID: 24636530DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2014.02.024Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study investigates the impact of the center of mass (COM) location on balance and movements in trotting horses, revealing that correct COM positioning is crucial for calculating pitching moments and ensuring balance.
Objectives and Methodology
- The primary aim of this research was to understand the influence of the COM location on pitching moments, which play a significant role in the balance of trotting horses.
- To achieve the research objectives, kinematic data was gathered from eight trotting horses over three trials, with frequency set at 120 Hz.
- Ground reaction force (GRF) data was also collected using four force plates, operating at a frequency of 960 Hz.
- The researchers first determined the COM position by summing the weighted segmental COMs. The established COM position was then manipulated back and forth to verify the model’s accuracy.
- Sagittal-plane moments, which are essentially revolves around the COM, were calculated for every adjustment made to the COM in the model.
Findings
- The researchers found that in order to prevent the accumulation of rotational motion, the moments had to sum up to zero over the course of a stride. This balance was found when the weight on the forelimbs in a standing posture was estimated to be 58.7% ± 3%.
- The moments were typically nose-up at foot strike, transforming to nose-down before midstance, and reverting to nose-up toward the end of the stance phase.
- The researchers observed larger mean moments in the hindlimbs that were more responsive to changes in the COM location.
- The study suggests that the diversion of the COM from the center of pressure (COP), thereby creating a vertical force moment arm before the midpoint stance, may aid the hindlimb in generating propulsive effort.
- A similar effect was witnessed in a single forelimb during its support phase, further validating the hypothesis.
Conclusion
- The research highlights the critical role of correctly identifying the COM position in ensuring balance and appropriate pitching moments in trotting horses.
- Findings from this study could offer valuable insights into the bio-mechanics of trotting in horses and contribute to improved training regimes and injury prevention strategies.
Cite This Article
APA
Hobbs SJ, Richards J, Clayton HM.
(2014).
The effect of centre of mass location on sagittal plane moments around the centre of mass in trotting horses.
J Biomech, 47(6), 1278-1286.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2014.02.024 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Centre for Applied Sport end Exercise Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancs, UK. Electronic address: sjhobbs1@uclan.ac.uk.
- Allied Health Research Unit, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancs, UK.
- McPhail Equine Performance Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Body Weight
- Female
- Forelimb
- Hindlimb
- Horses / physiology
- Locomotion
- Male
- Posture
- Regression Analysis
Citations
This article has been cited 15 times.- St George LB, Spoormakers TJP, Smit IH, Hobbs SJ, Clayton HM, Roy SH, van Weeren PR, Richards J, Serra Bragança FM. Adaptations in equine appendicular muscle activity and movement occur during induced fore- and hindlimb lameness: An electromyographic and kinematic evaluation. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:989522.
- Hobbs SJ, Clayton HM. The Olympic motto through the lens of equestrian sports. Anim Front 2022 Jun;12(3):45-53.
- St George L, Clayton HM, Sinclair J, Richards J, Roy SH, Hobbs SJ. Muscle Function and Kinematics during Submaximal Equine Jumping: What Can Objective Outcomes Tell Us about Athletic Performance Indicators?. Animals (Basel) 2021 Feb 5;11(2).
- Clayton HM, Hobbs SJ. A Review of Biomechanical Gait Classification with Reference to Collected Trot, Passage and Piaffe in Dressage Horses. Animals (Basel) 2019 Oct 3;9(10).
- Hobbs SJ, Clayton HM. Collisional mechanics of the diagonal gaits of horses over a range of speeds. PeerJ 2019;7:e7689.
- Egan S, Brama P, McGrath D. Irish Equine Industry Stakeholder Perspectives of Objective Technology for Biomechanical Analyses in the Field. Animals (Basel) 2019 Aug 8;9(8).
- Clayton HM, Hobbs SJ. An exploration of strategies used by dressage horses to control moments around the center of mass when performing passage. PeerJ 2017;5:e3866.
- Macaulay S, Hutchinson JR, Bates KT. A quantitative evaluation of physical and digital approaches to centre of mass estimation. J Anat 2017 Nov;231(5):758-775.
- Hobbs SJ, Bertram JE, Clayton HM. An exploration of the influence of diagonal dissociation and moderate changes in speed on locomotor parameters in trotting horses. PeerJ 2016;4:e2190.
- Stachurska A, Wnuk E, Łuszczyński J, Donderowicz W. Preliminary Biometric Study on Symmetry of Hoof Solear Aspect in Forelimbs in Four Horse Breeds. Animals (Basel) 2025 Nov 21;15(23).
- St George L, Nankervis K, Walker V, Maddock C, Robinson A, Sinclair J, Hobbs SJ. A Feasibility Study to Determine Whether Neuromuscular Adaptations to Equine Water Treadmill Exercise Can Be Detected Using Synchronous Surface Electromyography and Kinematic Data. Animals (Basel) 2025 Nov 1;15(21).
- Dempsey M, Allison K, Cross SRR, Maidment SCR, Campione NE, Bates KT. Limb bone robusticity is coupled with mass distribution in terrestrial tetrapods. R Soc Open Sci 2025 Sep;12(9):251103.
- Bussiman F, Richter J, Hidalgo J, Silva FFE, Ventura RV, Carvalho RSB, Mattos EC, Ferraz JBS, Eler JP, de Carvalho Balieiro JC. Bayesian Recursive and Structural Equation Models to Infer Causal Links Among Gait Visual Scores on Campolina Horses. J Anim Breed Genet 2025 Sep;142(5):463-477.
- Clayton HM, MacKechnie-Guire R, Hobbs SJ. Riders' Effects on Horses-Biomechanical Principles with Examples from the Literature. Animals (Basel) 2023 Dec 15;13(24).
- St George LB, Clayton HM, Sinclair JK, Richards J, Roy SH, Hobbs SJ. Electromyographic and Kinematic Comparison of the Leading and Trailing Fore- and Hindlimbs of Horses during Canter. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 25;13(11).
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