The relationship between range of motion of lumbosacral flexion-extension and canter velocity of horses on a treadmill.
Abstract: Research into kinematics of the healthy equine back, has been performed in the walk and trot. This study focuses on back kinematics during canter, over a range of velocities. Flexion extension (FE) movements in canter are greatest in the lumbosacral (LS) region. Previous research has focused on canter velocity of 7 m/s; therefore quantification of LS kinematics at varying velocities is required to understand LS functions in equine locomotion. Objective: Range of flexion-extension movement through the lumbosacral joint increases with increasing velocity. Methods: Six Thoroughbred horses (mean age 9.6 years) cantered on treadmill at 4 velocities (6.0, 6.5, 7.0 and 8.0 m/s, respectively). Reflective markers were placed over the 5th lumbar vertebra (L5), the lumbosacral junction (LS) and the 3rd sacral vertebra (S3). Lumbosacral angle (LS) was defined as the angle formed between L5, LS and S3. Flexion-extension (FE) range of motion (ROM) was analysed using a 2 camera, 3D motion capture system ProReflex. Linear regression was used to determine strengths of relationships between speed of canter and lumbosacral FE movements. Results: Range of FE ROM seen at the lumbosacral joint increased linearly with speed. FE ROM ranged 6.1 degrees +/- 1.9 at 6 m/s, 6.3 degrees +/- 1.9 at 6.5 m/s, 6.6 degrees +/- 1.9 at 7 m/s and 7.2 degrees +/- 1.9 at 8 m/s. Linear regression showed positive associations between speed and LS FE range of motion (r2 = 0.993; P = 0.003). Conclusions: Results show linear relationships between LS FE movements and submaximal canter velocities. These results provide information on the LS joint at canter. Understanding the effects of velocity on the back of healthy horses may aid our understanding of the demands placed on this joint in sport horses at this gait.
Publication Date: 2009-05-28 PubMed ID: 19469240DOI: 10.2746/042516409x397271Google 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.
- 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 assessed the association between the range of motion in the lumbosacral flexion-extension (FE) in horses and the speed at which they can canter, finding that the range of motion increased linearly as the velocity increased.
Objective and Significance
- The main aim of the study was to understand how the range of motion (ROM) in the lumbosacral joint (in the back) increases as the speed – or canter velocity – of the horse increases. This is part of a larger goal to understand the workings of these joints during equine locomotion.
- The significance of this research lies in its potential to improve our understanding of the impact of different canter speeds on the health of horses, particularly those used in sports. This could potentially aid in the development of training and care routines that minimize risk of joint-related injuries.
Methods
- The study involved six Thoroughbred horses with an average age of 9.6 years. They were put on a treadmill and made to canter at 4 different speeds: 6.0, 6.5, 7.0 and 8.0 m/s respectively.
- To measure the lumbosacral range of motion, reflective markers were placed on three places on their spines: the 5th lumbar vertebra (L5), the lumbosacral junction (LS) and the 3rd sacral vertebra (S3).
- The lumbosacral angle was defined as the angle that forms between L5, LS, and S3. The researchers then analyzed the range of motion (FE) using a 2 camera, 3D motion capture system called ProReflex.
- The researchers used linear regression to study the relationship between the horse’s canter velocity and the lumbosacral flexion-extension movements.
Results
- The study concluded that the range of flexion-extension ROM observed at the lumbosacral joint increased linearly with speed. The increase in range of motion was incremental as the speed (m/s) increased from 6.0 to 8.0.
- With each increase in speed, the ROM increased, as an example the ROM at 6 m/s was 6.1 degrees and increased to 7.2 degrees at 8 m/s.
- The linear regression analysis showed a positive correlation between the speed of the horse and the lumbosacral FE range of motion, suggesting that as the speed increased, the FE ROM also showed a linear increase.
Conclusion
- The result displayed that there is a linear relationship between lumbosacral flexion-extension movements and the horses’ canter speed.
- This research provides crucial information regarding the function of the LS joint during cantering, and can be used to analyze the demands placed on this joint in sport horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Johnson JL, Moore-Colyer M.
(2009).
The relationship between range of motion of lumbosacral flexion-extension and canter velocity of horses on a treadmill.
Equine Vet J, 41(3), 301-303.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516409x397271 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Hartpury Equine Veterinary and Therapy Centre, Hartpury College, Gloucestershire, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Exercise Test
- Gait / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Lumbosacral Region / physiology
- Movement
- Physical Exertion
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Horan K, Coburn J, Kourdache K, Day P, Carnall H, Brinkley L, Harborne D, Hammond L, Peterson M, Millard S, Pfau T. Hoof Impact and Foot-Off Accelerations in Galloping Thoroughbred Racehorses Trialling Eight Shoe-Surface Combinations.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Aug 23;12(17).
- Horan K, Kourdache K, Coburn J, Day P, Carnall H, Harborne D, Brinkley L, Hammond L, Millard S, Lancaster B, Pfau T. The effect of horseshoes and surfaces on horse and jockey centre of mass displacements at gallop.. PLoS One 2021;16(11):e0257820.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
