The use of MP3 recorders to log data from equine hoof mounted accelerometers.
Abstract: MP3 recorders are readily available, small, lightweight and low cost, providing the potential for logging analogue hoof mounted accelerometer signals for the characterisation of equine locomotion. These, however, require testing in practice. Objective: To test whether 1) multiple MP3 recorders can maintain synchronisation, giving the ability to synchronise independent recorders for the logging of multiple limbs simultaneously; and 2) features of a foot mounted accelerometer signal attributable to foot-on and foot-off can be accurately identified from horse foot mounted accelerometers logged directly into an MP3 recorder. Methods: Three experiments were performed: 1) Maintenance of synchronisation was assessed by counting the number of samples recorded by each of 4 MP3 recorders while mounted on a trotting horse and over 2 consecutive 30 min periods in 8 recorders on a bench. 2) Foot-on and foot-off times obtained from manual transcription of MP3 logged data and directly logged accelerometer signal were compared. 3) MP3/accelerometer acquisition units were used to log accelerometer signals from racehorses during extended training sessions. Results: Mean absolute error of synchronisation between MP3 recorders was 10 samples per million (compared to mean number of samples, range 1-32 samples per million). Error accumulation showed a linear correlation with time. Features attributable to foot on and foot off were equally identifiable from the MP3 recorded signal over a range of equine gaits. Conclusions: Multiple MP3 recorders can be synchronised and used as a relatively cheap, robust, reliable and accurate logging system when combined with an accelerometer and external battery for the specific application of the measurement of stride timing variables across the range of equine gaits during field locomotion. Conclusions: Footfall timings can be used to identify intervals between the fore and hind contacts, the identification of diagonal advanced placement and to calculate stride timing variables (stance time, protraction time and stride time). These parameters are invaluable for the characterisation and assessment of equine locomotion.
Publication Date: 2007-01-19 PubMed ID: 17228585DOI: 10.2746/042516406x156578Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The study tests the use of MP3 recorders to log data from hoof-mounted accelerometers on horses. The investigation intended to examine if the MP3 recorders could keep synchronisation for simultaneous logging of multiple limbs and precisely identify features like foot-on and foot-off from the data.
Overview of the Research
- The researchers utilized small, readily available, low-cost MP3 recorders to log analogue signals from hoof-mounted accelerometers on horses.
- The primary objectives were to affirm that multiple MP3 recorders could stay in sync for logging data from independent sources and determine if the accelerometer signals could accurately identify the times of foot-on and foot-off of the horse.
- The research was segmented into three parts to validate these objectives.
Methods and Experiments
- To verify maintenance of synchronisation, four MP3 recorders were installed on a trotting horse and the number of samples they recorded were compared.
- Furthermore, eight recorders were analyzed over two consecutive 30-minute periods on a bench to affirm their synchronisation.
- The times of foot-on and off were measured through manual transcription of MP3 logged data and compared to those obtained from the directly logged accelerometer signal.
- The loggers were also used to record accelerometer signals from racehorses during extended training sessions.
Results of the Study
- The absolute error in synchronisation between MP3 recorders was found to be 10 samples per million.
- This error accumulation showed a linear correlation with time, signifying a consistent error rate.
- The research demonstrably confirmed that the foot-on and foot-off times were identifiable precisely from the MP3 recorded signal across a variety of equine gaits.
Conclusion and Application
- It was concluded that multiple MP3 recorders can be synchronised effectively and used as a cost-effective, durable, dependable and accurate logging system in conjunction with an accelerometer and an external battery.
- The study suggests that this method can be specifically applied for the measurement of stride timing variables during field locomotion in horses.
- The timing of footfalls can potentially be used to identify intervals between the fore and hind contacts, the identification of diagonal advanced placement and to calculate stance time, protraction time and stride time.
- These parameters are essential for characterising and assessing equine locomotion.
Cite This Article
APA
Parsons KJ, Wilson AM.
(2007).
The use of MP3 recorders to log data from equine hoof mounted accelerometers.
Equine Vet J, 38(7), 675-680.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516406x156578 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Structure and Motion Laboratory, The Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Acceleration
- Animals
- Equipment and Supplies / standards
- Equipment and Supplies / veterinary
- Hoof and Claw / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Locomotion / physiology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Reproducibility of Results
- Running / physiology
- Sensitivity and Specificity
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Kurz MJ, Hutchinson JR. Visual feedback influences the consistency of the locomotor pattern in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). Biol Lett 2023 Sep;19(9):20230260.
- Starke SD, Clayton HM. A universal approach to determine footfall timings from kinematics of a single foot marker in hoofed animals. PeerJ 2015;3:e783.
- Williams SB, Tan H, Usherwood JR, Wilson AM. Pitch then power: limitations to acceleration in quadrupeds. Biol Lett 2009 Oct 23;5(5):610-3.
- Ren L, Hutchinson JR. The three-dimensional locomotor dynamics of African (Loxodonta africana) and Asian (Elephas maximus) elephants reveal a smooth gait transition at moderate speed. J R Soc Interface 2008 Feb 6;5(19):195-211.
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