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Journal of veterinary research2019; 63(3); 439-445; doi: 10.2478/jvetres-2019-0050

The Use of the Water Treadmill for the Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Injuries in the Sport Horse.

Abstract: In recent years, exercise on a water treadmill has come to have great relevance in rehabilitation and training centres for sport horses. Its use exploits certain physical properties of water, related to the fundamental principles of hydrodynamics, such as buoyancy, viscosity, hydrostatic pressure, and water temperature. These properties together with deliberate specification of the depth of the water and the velocity of the treadmill provide a combination of parameters that can be varied according to the purpose of the rehabilitation or training programme, the disease to rehabilitate, or the healing phase. In the current article, kinematic adaptations to exercise on a water treadmill and the direct application of such exercise to the rehabilitation of superficial and deep digital flexor tendon and accessory ligament injuries and back and joint diseases are described.
Publication Date: 2019-09-13 PubMed ID: 31572826PubMed Central: PMC6749732DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2019-0050Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The study focuses on the use of water treadmill for sport horses‘ rehabilitation from musculoskeletal injuries, as it utilizes hydrodynamic principles such as buoyancy, viscosity, hydrostatic pressure, and water temperature. The paper further examines the kinematic modifications and the use of water treadmill exercise in treating tendon, back, and joint diseases in horses.

Understanding the Concept of Water Treadmill

  • In rehabilitation and training centres for sport horses, the water treadmill has gained significant popularity. It utilizes the physical properties of water – like buoyancy, viscosity, hydrostatic pressure, and water temperature – which are basic principles of hydrodynamics.
  • By adjusting the treadmill’s speed and water depth, a variety of parameters can be altered according to the rehabilitation or training programme’s goals, the condition being treated, and the recovery phase.

Adapting to Water Treadmill Exercises

  • The paper explores the kinematic adaptations to practicing on a water treadmill. Kinematics is the study of motion without considering force; thus, it looks at modifications in gait and stride in horses when they exercise in water instead of on land.
  • These adaptations are crucial to understand as they affect the success of the training or rehabilitation program. For instance, different water depths might influence various muscles groups or joint movements, which in turn would target specific recovery or training goals.

Rehabilitating Injuries through Water Treadmill Exercise

  • This article examines in detail how water treadmill exercises can be directly applied to rehabilitate specific injuries or diseases. The ones highlighted are superficial and deep digital flexor tendon injuries, as well as accessory ligament injuries.
  • Furthermore, the article takes into account back and joint diseases, detailing the functionalities of water treadmill exercises in treating these conditions.
  • This detailed examination provides insights into the actual application of these exercises, making it a valuable contribution to equine rehabilitative sciences.

Cite This Article

APA
Muñoz A, Saitua A, Becero M, Riber C, Satué K, de Medina AS, Argüelles D, Castejón-Riber C. (2019). The Use of the Water Treadmill for the Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Injuries in the Sport Horse. J Vet Res, 63(3), 439-445. https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2019-0050

Publication

ISSN: 2450-7393
NlmUniqueID: 101696630
Country: Poland
Language: English
Volume: 63
Issue: 3
Pages: 439-445

Researcher Affiliations

Muñoz, Ana
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Cordoba, Spain.
  • Equine Sport Medicine Centre, Cordoba, Spain.
Saitua, Aritz
  • Equine Sport Medicine Centre, Cordoba, Spain.
Becero, Mireya
  • Equine Sport Medicine Centre, Cordoba, Spain.
Riber, Cristina
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Cordoba, Spain.
  • Equine Sport Medicine Centre, Cordoba, Spain.
Satué, Katy
  • Veterinary Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, Cordoba, Spain.
de Medina, Antonia Sánchez
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Cordoba, Spain.
  • Department of Art and Body Education, University of Córdoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain.
Argüelles, David
  • Department of Art and Body Education, University of Córdoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain.
Castejón-Riber, Cristina
  • Equine Sport Medicine Centre, Cordoba, Spain.
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University Cardenal Herrera-CEU, 46015 Valencia, Spain.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Conflict of Interest Conflict of Interests Statement: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this article.

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Citations

This article has been cited 11 times.
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