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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J Suppl / The effect of water height on stride frequency, stride lengt...
Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2011; (38); 662-664; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00194.x

The effect of water height on stride frequency, stride length and heart rate during water treadmill exercise.

Abstract: Water treadmill exercise is often incorporated into rehabilitation programmes for horses yet little is known about the biomechanical and physiological responses to water walking. Objective: To establish whether stride frequency (SF) reached steady state as a result of 6 introductory water treadmill sessions and then to investigate the effect of increasing water height on SF, stride length (SL) and heart rate (HR). Methods: Nine horses with no previous experience of water treadmills completed 6 sessions of walking for between 15 and 30 min. Each horse was fitted with a leg mounted accelerometer to measure SF. The effect of session on SF was tested using univariate ANOVA. Eight horses completed 3 further sessions at each of the following water heights; proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP), carpus and ulna. SF, SL and HR at each water height were compared to a control (hoof height) using univariate ANOVA. Results: When SF during introductory sessions 4-6 were compared, there was no significant effect of session on SF (P > 0.05). In the second part of the experiment, SF was 0.57 ± 0.03 strides/s at control, 0.54 ± 0.03 strides/s at the PIP joint, 0.51 ± 0.02 strides/s at the carpus and 0.52 ± 0.03 strides/s at the ulna. Stride frequency at carpal and ulna height was significantly lower than at control (P < 0.05). Stride length was 1.53 ± 0.09 m for control, 1.63 ± 0.10 m at the PIP joint, 1.71 ± 0.08 m at the carpus and 1.68 ± 0.10 m at the ulna. Stride length at carpal and ulna height was significantly greater than control (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between HR during control and any other water height (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Horses reached steady state gait within the first 6 sessions of water treadmill exercise. Walking in water at the level of the carpus or ulna resulted in a lower SF compared to walking in water at hoof height.
© 2010 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2011-05-27 PubMed ID: 21059077DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00194.xGoogle 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.

This research investigates the impact of water height on horses’ stride frequency, stride length and heart rate during water treadmill exercise. The data indicates that horses adjust their stride frequency and length based on the water height, but it doesn’t significantly affect their heart rate.

Objective and Methods

  • The research aimed at determining whether stride frequency (SF) achieved a steady state through six initial sessions of water treadmill exercises and how different water heights influence SF, stride length (SL), and heart rate (HR).
  • For the experiment, nine horses with no previous water treadmill experience were made to walk on the treadmill for 15 to 30 minutes across six sessions. SF was measured using a leg-mounted accelerometer.
  • The researchers used univariate ANOVA to test the impact of each session on SF.
  • The experiment was extended to three further sessions with water at different heights – proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP), carpus and ulna. SF, SL and HR at these water heights were compared to a control (hoof height) using univariate ANOVA.

Results

  • The research found no significant difference in SF during sessions 4-6, suggesting that horses achieved a steady gait in the initial six water treadmill sessions.
  • In the next part of the experiment, the stride frequency was observed to be lower at the level of the carpus and ulna compared to the hoof height control, while the stride length significantly increased at the carpus and ulna height compared to the control.
  • Interestingly, the different water heights didn’t significantly affect the horse’s heart rate. It stayed more or less the same irrespective of the water height.

Conclusion

  • The study implies that horses adapt to the water treadmill exercise and achieve a steady-state gait within the first six sessions.
  • The research also reveals that water level plays a significant role in influencing a horse’s stride frequency and length. However, water height showed no significant effect on horses’ heart rate.
  • Specially, walking in water that’s level with the carpus or ulna leads to a lower stride frequency compared to walking in water at hoof height.

Cite This Article

APA
Scott R, Nankervis K, Stringer C, Westcott K, Marlin D. (2011). The effect of water height on stride frequency, stride length and heart rate during water treadmill exercise. Equine Vet J Suppl(38), 662-664. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00194.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 38
Pages: 662-664

Researcher Affiliations

Scott, R
  • The Equine Therapy Centre, Hartpury College, Gloucester, UK.
Nankervis, K
    Stringer, C
      Westcott, K
        Marlin, D

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Exercise Test / veterinary
          • Heart Rate / physiology
          • Horses / physiology
          • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
          • Water

          Citations

          This article has been cited 14 times.
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