The role of tendon stiffness in development of equine locomotion with age.
Abstract: The flexor tendons support the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints during stance phase and since tendon stiffness and strain changes with age, it is likely that kinematics are also age-dependent. Objective: Maximum MCP and DIP angles decrease in the young horse, plateau in the mature horse and increase towards senescence. Methods: The distal limbs of 57 walking horses age 3-212 months were filmed and digitised with an automated tracking system. Maximum MCP and DIP angles during stance phase were used to calculate strain in the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons. Horses were divided into 3 age groups; young (3-35 months), mature (36-99 months) and older horses (100-212 months). Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the relationship between age and kinematics. Results: Tendon strain decreased in young horses, stayed constant in mature horses and increased in older horses. Joint angles showed significant negative correlation in young horses, with coefficients of -0.88 (MCP) and -0.81 (DIP). In mature horses, correlations were not significant (P = 0.2 for MCP; P = 0.5 for DIP). In older horses, angles showed significant positive correlation, with coefficients of 0.62 (MCP) and 0.48 (DIP). Conclusions: Joint angles decreased in the young horse as tendon stiffness increases, remained constant in the mature horse where tendon stiffness is constant and increased in older horses as tendons weakens and stiffness decreases. Strain patterns were similar to those found in vitro. Conclusions: Changing tendon stiffness appeared to influence the development and degeneration of gait. This has implications for studying musculoskeletal development, especially for identification of normal and pathological development.
© 2010 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2011-05-27 PubMed ID: 21059060DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00296.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Adult Horses
- Age Factors
- Biomechanics
- Deep Digital Flexor Tendon
- Distal Interphalangeal Joint
- Equine Health
- Equine Science
- Equine Studies
- Horses
- Kinematics
- Locomotion
- Metacarpophalangeal Joint
- Musculoskeletal System
- Senior Horses
- Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon
- Tendons
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
- Young Horses
Summary
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This research article investigates how changes in the stiffness of tendons, particularly in horses’ metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints, can affect the development and alterations in their movement patterns as they age.
Study Objective and Methods
- The goal of this research was to analyze how changes in the maximum MCP and DIP angles, which typically decrease in young horses before plateauing in mature horses, are potentially driven by alterations in the stiffness and strain of tendons as horses age.
- The study involved the filming and analysis of the distal limbs of 57 horses ranging in age from 3 to 212 months as they walked.
- Digitization was achieved through an automated tracking system while maximum MCP and DIP angles during stance phase were utilized to calculate strain in the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons.
- The horses were divided into three age groups: young (3-35 months), mature (36-99 months), and older horses (100-212 months).
- Pearson’s correlation coefficients were employed to determine the relationship between age and limb kinematics.
Results and Findings
- Tendon strain decreased in the young horses, showing a significant negative correlation in joint angles with coefficients of -0.88 (MCP) and -0.81 (DIP).
- Strain remained constant in mature horses, without any significant correlation in joint angles (P = 0.2 for MCP; P = 0.5 for DIP).
- In older horses, tendon strain increased, positively correlating with larger joint angles (coefficients of 0.62 and 0.48 for MCP and DIP, respectively).
Overall Conclusions
- Joint angles in horses were seen to decrease as tendons stiffened and strain reduced during their younger years.
- In mature horses, where tendon stiffness remained constant, joint angles did not undergo significant changes.
- Tendons weakened and became less stiff in older horses, leading to an increase in joint angles.
- The study concluded that changes in tendon stiffness significantly influenced changes in the horses’ gait as they aged.
Implications
- The results of this study have vital implications for understanding musculoskeletal development, particularly with respect to identifying normal and pathological development scenarios.
Cite This Article
APA
Addis PR, Lawson SE.
(2011).
The role of tendon stiffness in development of equine locomotion with age.
Equine Vet J Suppl(38), 556-560.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00296.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- CREST, Bioengineering Research Group, Newcastle University, School of Mechanical and Systems Engineering, England, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Aging / physiology
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Locomotion / physiology
- Male
- Tendons / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Horan K, Price H, Day P, Mackechnie-Guire R, Pfau T. Timing Differences in Stride Cycle Phases in Retired Racehorses Ridden in Rising and Two-Point Seat Positions at Trot on Turf, Artificial and Tarmac Surfaces.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 9;13(16).
- 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.
- Wagner FC, Reese S, Gerlach K, Böttcher P, Mülling CKW. Cyclic tensile tests of Shetland pony superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFTs) with an optimized cryo-clamp combined with biplanar high-speed fluoroscopy.. BMC Vet Res 2021 Jun 25;17(1):223.
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