FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / The Impact of Circular Exercise Diameter on Bone and Joint H...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(11); 1379; doi: 10.3390/ani12111379

The Impact of Circular Exercise Diameter on Bone and Joint Health of Juvenile Animals.

Abstract: Circular exercise is used in many equestrian disciplines and this study aimed to determine if circle diameter impacts juvenile animal forelimb bone and joint health. On day 0, 24 calves at 9 weeks of age were assigned the following exercise treatments: small circle (12 m clockwise), large circle (18-m clockwise), treadmill, or non-exercised control. Exercise was initiated at 1.1−1.5 m/s for 5 min/d and increased 5 min weekly until reaching 30 min/d. On day 49, synovial fluid was collected from multiple joints, cartilage was collected from the proximal surface of fused third and fourth metacarpi (MC III and IV), and forelimbs underwent computed tomography scans. A statistical analysis (PROC mixed) was performed in SAS 9.4. The inside leg of the small circle treatment had a larger MC III and IV dorsopalmar external diameter than the outside (p = 0.05). The medial proximal phalanx had a greater mediolateral diameter than the lateral proximal phalanx of the small circle treatment (p = 0.01). Fetlock nitric oxide was greater in the large circle and treadmill treatments (p < 0.0001). Cartilage glycosaminoglycan concentration was greater in the outside leg of the small circle exercise treatment than the inside leg (p = 0.03). Even at slow speeds, circular exercise diameter can impact joint and bone health, but faster speeds may have greater alterations.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2022-05-27 PubMed ID: 35681842PubMed Central: PMC9179390DOI: 10.3390/ani12111379Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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 investigates how different diameters of circular exercise impact the bone and joint health of juvenile animals, using calves as a subject. The study finds that different diameters do indeed have different impacts, potentially posing risks or benefits to the animal’s development.

Introduction to the Research

  • The study’s premise was based on understanding the impact of circular exercises on bone and joint health in juvenile animals. This topic was considered interesting due to the prevalent practice of using circular exercise in various equestrian disciplines.
  • The researchers manipulated the circle diameter during the exercise regime to see if that variable had any effect on the juvenile animal’s bones and joints. The diameters used were small circle (12 m clockwise), large circle (18 m clockwise), treadmill, or non-exercise control.
  • A total of 24 calves, all 9 weeks old, were used as subjects for the study. The exercise regime started at a low-intensity pace of 1.1−1.5 m/s for five minutes a day. This time was increased weekly by five minutes until it reached 30 minutes a day.
  • The research spanned over a period of 49 days.

Methodology and Results

  • On the 49th day, the researchers collected synovial fluid from multiple joints, cartilage from the proximal surface of third and fourth metacarpi (MC III and IV), and carried out computed tomography scans on the forelimbs. This data collection helped in assessing the impact of different exercise regimes on the subject animals’ bone and joint health.
  • The statistical analysis was carried out using the PROC mixed method in SAS 9.4.
  • The study found that the inside leg of the calves that underwent the small circle treatment exhibited larger MC III and IV dorsopalmar external diameter when compared to the outside leg.
  • Additionally, the medial proximal phalanx was larger in terms of mediolateral diameter than the lateral proximal phalanx in calves that underwent the small circle treatment. Furthermore, fetlock nitric oxide was greater in both the large circle and treadmill treatments.
  • The concentration of glycosaminoglycan in the cartilage was found to be greater in the outside leg of the small circle exercise treatment than the inside leg.
  • The study concludes that even at slow speeds, the diameter of the circular exercise can impact the joint and bone health of juvenile animals.
  • However, it is also hinted that faster speeds may induce greater alterations in bone and joint health.

Cite This Article

APA
Logan AA, Nielsen BD, Hiney KM, Robison CI, Manfredi JM, Buskirk DD, Popovich JM. (2022). The Impact of Circular Exercise Diameter on Bone and Joint Health of Juvenile Animals. Animals (Basel), 12(11), 1379. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12111379

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 11
PII: 1379

Researcher Affiliations

Logan, Alyssa A
  • Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, 474 S. Shaw Ln., East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Nielsen, Brian D
  • Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, 474 S. Shaw Ln., East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Hiney, Kristina M
  • Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Oklahoma State University, 201J Animal Sciences, Stillwater, OK 74074, USA.
Robison, Cara I
  • Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, 474 S. Shaw Ln., East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Manfredi, Jane M
  • Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, 784 Wilson Rd., East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Buskirk, Daniel D
  • Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, 474 S. Shaw Ln., East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Popovich, John M
  • Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Clinical Research, Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Michigan State University, 965 Wilson Rd., B439, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.

Grant Funding

  • (AA-19-034) / Michigan Alliance for Animal Agriculture

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

References

This article includes 43 references
  1. Robling AG, Daly R, Fuchs RK, Burr DB. Mechanical Adaptation. Basic and Applied Bone Biology Elsevier; Amsterdam, The Netherlands: 2019; pp. 203–233.
  2. Logan AA, Nielsen BD, Robison CI, Manfredi JM, Buskirk DD, Schott HC, Hiney KM. Calves, as a model for juvenile horses, need only one sprint per week to experience increased bone strength.. J Anim Sci 2019 Jul 30;97(8):3300-3312.
    doi: 10.1093/jas/skz202pmc: PMC6667263pubmed: 31231753google scholar: lookup
  3. Pfau T, Stubbs NC, Kaiser LJ, Brown LE, Clayton HM. Effect of trotting speed and circle radius on movement symmetry in horses during lunging on a soft surface.. Am J Vet Res 2012 Dec;73(12):1890-9.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.73.12.1890pubmed: 23176414google scholar: lookup
  4. Greve L, Dyson S. Body lean angle in sound dressage horses in-hand, on the lunge and ridden.. Vet J 2016 Nov;217:52-57.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2016.06.004pubmed: 27810211google scholar: lookup
  5. Parkes RSV, Pfau T, Weller R, Witte TH. The effect of curve running on distal limb kinematics in the Thoroughbred racehorse.. PLoS One 2020;15(12):e0244105.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244105pmc: PMC7771664pubmed: 33373408google scholar: lookup
  6. Greve L, Dyson S. What can we learn from visual and objective assessment of non-lame and lame horses in straight lines, on the lunge and ridden?. Equine Vet. Educ. 2020;32:479–491.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.13016google scholar: lookup
  7. Witte TH, Knill K, Wilson AM. Determination of peak vertical ground reaction force from duty factor in the horse (Equus caballus).. J Exp Biol 2004 Oct;207(Pt 21):3639-48.
    doi: 10.1242/jeb.01182pubmed: 15371472google scholar: lookup
  8. Evans DL. Welfare of the Racehorse During Exercise Training and Racing. The Welfare of Horses In: Waran N., editor. Volume 1. Springer; Dordrecht, The Netherlands: 2007; pp. 181–201.
  9. Kawamoto R, Ishige Y, Watarai K, Fukashiro S. Primary factors affecting maximum torsional loading of the tibia in running.. Sports Biomech 2002 Jul;1(2):167-86.
    doi: 10.1123/jab.18.3.218pubmed: 14658374google scholar: lookup
  10. Chang YH, Kram R. Limitations to maximum running speed on flat curves.. J Exp Biol 2007 Mar;210(Pt 6):971-82.
    doi: 10.1242/jeb.02728pubmed: 17337710google scholar: lookup
  11. Logan AA, Nielsen BD, Robison CI, Hallock DB, Manfredi JM, Hiney KM, Buskirk DD, Popovich JM Jr. Impact of Gait and Diameter during Circular Exercise on Front Hoof Area, Vertical Force, and Pressure in Mature Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Dec 17;11(12).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11123581pmc: PMC8697886pubmed: 34944357google scholar: lookup
  12. Mizobe F, Takahashi Y, Kusano K. Risk Factors for Jockey Falls in Japanese Thoroughbred Flat Racing.. J Equine Vet Sci 2021 Nov;106:103749.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103749pubmed: 34670697google scholar: lookup
  13. Gessel T, Harrast MA. Running Dose and Risk of Developing Lower-Extremity Osteoarthritis.. Curr Sports Med Rep 2019 Jun;18(6):201-209.
    doi: 10.1249/JSR.0000000000000602pubmed: 31385835google scholar: lookup
  14. Chateau H, Camus M, Holden-Douilly L, Falala S, Ravary B, Vergari C, Lepley J, Denoix JM, Pourcelot P, Crevier-Denoix N. Kinetics of the forelimb in horses circling on different ground surfaces at the trot.. Vet J 2013 Dec;198 Suppl 1:e20-6.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.09.028pubmed: 24511634google scholar: lookup
  15. Beisser A, McClure S, Rezabek G, Soring KH, Wang C. Frequency of and risk factors associated with catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries in Quarter Horses at two Midwestern racetracks: 67 cases (2000-2011).. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2014 Nov 15;245(10):1160-8.
    doi: 10.2460/javma.245.10.1160pubmed: 25356718google scholar: lookup
  16. McIlwraith CW, Kawcak CE, Frisbie DD, Little CB, Clegg PD, Peffers MJ, Karsdal MA, Ekman S, Laverty S, Slayden RA, Sandell LJ, Lohmander LS, Kraus VB. Biomarkers for equine joint injury and osteoarthritis.. J Orthop Res 2018 Mar;36(3):823-831.
    doi: 10.1002/jor.23738pubmed: 28921609google scholar: lookup
  17. Logan AA, Nielsen BD, Sehl R, Jones E, Robison CI, Pease AP. Short-term stall housing of horses results in changes of markers of bone metabolism. Comp. Exerc. Physiol. 2019;15:283–290.
    doi: 10.3920/CEP190038google scholar: lookup
  18. Nicholson AM, Trumble TN, Merritt KA, Brown MP. Associations of horse age, joint type, and osteochondral injury with serum and synovial fluid concentrations of type II collagen biomarkers in Thoroughbreds.. Am J Vet Res 2010 Jul;71(7):741-9.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.71.7.741pubmed: 20594075google scholar: lookup
  19. Frisbie DD, Al-Sobayil F, Billinghurst RC, Kawcak CE, McIlwraith CW. Changes in synovial fluid and serum biomarkers with exercise and early osteoarthritis in horses.. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2008 Oct;16(10):1196-204.
    doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2008.03.008pubmed: 18442931google scholar: lookup
  20. van den Boom R, van de Lest CH, Bull S, Brama RA, van Weeren PR, Barneveld A. Influence of repeated arthrocentesis and exercise on synovial fluid concentrations of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2 and glycosaminoglycans in healthy equine joints.. Equine Vet J 2005 May;37(3):250-6.
    doi: 10.2746/0425164054530740pubmed: 15892235google scholar: lookup
  21. Abramson SB. Osteoarthritis and nitric oxide.. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2008;16 Suppl 2:S15-20.
    doi: 10.1016/S1063-4584(08)60008-4pubmed: 18794013google scholar: lookup
  22. Brama PA, TeKoppele JM, Bank RA, Barneveld A, van Weeren PR. Development of biochemical heterogeneity of articular cartilage: influences of age and exercise.. Equine Vet J 2002 May;34(3):265-9.
    doi: 10.2746/042516402776186146pubmed: 12108744google scholar: lookup
  23. Logan AA, Nielsen BD, Manfredi JM, Robison CI. Sprint Exercise of Juvenile Animals Does Not Impact Cartilage Glycosaminoglycan or Synovial Fluid Neopeptide Collagenase Cleavage of Type I and II Collagen Content.. J Equine Vet Sci 2021 Jun;101:103405.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103405pubmed: 33993932google scholar: lookup
  24. Hiney KM, Nielsen BD, Rosenstein D, Orth MW, Marks BP. High-intensity exercise of short duration alters bovine bone density and shape.. J Anim Sci 2004 Jun;82(6):1612-20.
    doi: 10.2527/2004.8261612xpubmed: 15216986google scholar: lookup
  25. Hiney KM, Nielsen BD, Rosenstein D. Short-duration exercise and confinement alters bone mineral content and shape in weanling horses.. J Anim Sci 2004 Aug;82(8):2313-20.
    doi: 10.2527/2004.8282313xpubmed: 15318730google scholar: lookup
  26. ASABE. Shear and Three-Point Bending Test of Animal Bone. Volume 59 ASABE; St. Joseph, MI, USA: 2021.
  27. Robison CI, Karcher DM. Analytical bone calcium and bone ash from mature laying hens correlates to bone mineral content calculated from quantitative computed tomography scans.. Poult Sci 2019 Sep 1;98(9):3611-3616.
    doi: 10.3382/ps/pez165pubmed: 31321433google scholar: lookup
  28. O'Connor-Robison CI, Spencer JD, Orth MW. The impact of dietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on bone and cartilage in gilts and sows.. J Anim Sci 2014 Oct;92(10):4607-15.
    doi: 10.2527/jas.2013-7028pubmed: 25184850google scholar: lookup
  29. Sun J, Zhang X, Broderick M, Fein H. Measurement of Nitric Oxide Production in Biological Systems by Using Griess Reaction Assay. Sensors 2003;3:276–284.
    doi: 10.3390/s30800276google scholar: lookup
  30. Chandrasekhar S, Esterman MA, Hoffman HA. Microdetermination of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans in the presence of guanidine hydrochloride.. Anal Biochem 1987 Feb 15;161(1):103-8.
    doi: 10.1016/0003-2697(87)90658-0pubmed: 3578776google scholar: lookup
  31. Beisser AL, McClure S, Wang C, Soring K, Garrison R, Peckham B. Evaluation of catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries in Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses at three Midwestern racetracks.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2011 Nov 1;239(9):1236-41.
    doi: 10.2460/javma.239.9.1236pubmed: 21999798google scholar: lookup
  32. Nunamaker DM, Butterweck DM, Provost MT. Some geometric properties of the third metacarpal bone: a comparison between the thoroughbred and standardbred racehorse.. J Biomech 1989;22(2):129-34.
    doi: 10.1016/0021-9290(89)90035-3pubmed: 2708392google scholar: lookup
  33. Spooner HS, Nielsen BD, Woodward AD, Rosenstein DS, Harris PA. Endurance Training Has Little Impact on Mineral Content of the Third Metacarpus in Two-Year-Old Arabian Horses. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2008;28:359–362.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2008.04.012google scholar: lookup
  34. Rogers CW, Dittmer KE. Does Juvenile Play Programme the Equine Musculoskeletal System?. Animals (Basel) 2019 Sep 3;9(9).
    doi: 10.3390/ani9090646pmc: PMC6770595pubmed: 31484397google scholar: lookup
  35. Gómez Alvarez CB, Rhodin M, Byström A, Back W, van Weeren PR. Back kinematics of healthy trotting horses during treadmill versus over ground locomotion.. Equine Vet J 2009 Mar;41(3):297-300.
    doi: 10.2746/042516409X397370pubmed: 19469239google scholar: lookup
  36. Wimalawansa SJ. Nitric oxide and bone.. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2010 Mar;1192:391-403.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.05230.xpubmed: 20392265google scholar: lookup
  37. Spiller F, Oliveira Formiga R, Fernandes da Silva Coimbra J, Alves-Filho JC, Cunha TM, Cunha FQ. Targeting nitric oxide as a key modulator of sepsis, arthritis and pain.. Nitric Oxide 2019 Aug 1;89:32-40.
    doi: 10.1016/j.niox.2019.04.011pubmed: 31051258google scholar: lookup
  38. Trumble TN, Billinghurst RC, McIlwraith CW. Correlation of prostaglandin E2 concentrations in synovial fluid with ground reaction forces and clinical variables for pain or inflammation in dogs with osteoarthritis induced by transection of the cranial cruciate ligament.. Am J Vet Res 2004 Sep;65(9):1269-75.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2004.65.1269pubmed: 15478776google scholar: lookup
  39. Kadic DTN, Miagkoff L, Bonilla AG. Needle arthroscopy of the radiocarpal and middle carpal joints in standing sedated horses.. Vet Surg 2020 Jul;49(5):894-904.
    doi: 10.1111/vsu.13430pubmed: 32333682google scholar: lookup
  40. van de Lest CH, Brama PA, Van Weeren PR. The influence of exercise on the composition of developing equine joints.. Biorheology 2002;39(1-2):183-91.
    pubmed: 12082281
  41. Hobbs SJ, Licka T, Polman R. The difference in kinematics of horses walking, trotting and cantering on a flat and banked 10 m circle.. Equine Vet J 2011 Nov;43(6):686-94.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00334.xpubmed: 21496095google scholar: lookup
  42. Lee AJ, Hodges S, Eastell R. Measurement of osteocalcin.. Ann Clin Biochem 2000 Jul;37 ( Pt 4):432-46.
    doi: 10.1177/000456320003700402pubmed: 10902858google scholar: lookup
  43. Impellizzeri FM, Marcora SM, Coutts AJ. Internal and External Training Load: 15 Years On.. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2019 Feb 1;14(2):270-273.
    doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2018-0935pubmed: 30614348google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Logan AA, Snyder AJ, Nielsen BD. Circle Diameter Impacts Stride Frequency and Forelimb Stance Duration at Various Gaits in Horses. Sensors (Basel) 2023 Apr 24;23(9).
    doi: 10.3390/s23094232pubmed: 37177435google scholar: lookup
  2. Nielsen BD. A Review of Three Decades of Research Dedicated to Making Equine Bones Stronger: Implications for Horses and Humans. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 22;13(5).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13050789pubmed: 36899647google scholar: lookup
  3. Harbowy RM, Nielsen BD, Colbath AC, Robison CI, Buskirk DD, Logan AA. Effects of Exercise Speed and Circle Diameter on Markers of Bone and Joint Health in Juvenile Sheep as an Equine Model. Animals (Basel) 2025 Feb 2;15(3).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15030414pubmed: 39943183google scholar: lookup
  4. Vergara-Hernandez FB, Nielsen BD, Popovich JM Jr, Panek CL, Logan AA, Robison CI, Ehrhardt RA, Johnson TN, Chargo NJ, Welsh TH Jr, Bradbery AN, Leatherwood JL, Colbath AC. Clodronate disodium does not produce measurable effects on bone metabolism in an exercising, juvenile, large animal model. PLoS One 2024;19(4):e0300360.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300360pubmed: 38626145google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,001 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.