FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Vet Res / Validity and practical utility of accelerometry for the meas...
BMC veterinary research2015; 11; 233; doi: 10.1186/s12917-015-0550-2

Validity and practical utility of accelerometry for the measurement of in-hand physical activity in horses.

Abstract: Accelerometers are valid, practical and reliable tools for the measurement of habitual physical activity (PA). Quantification of PA in horses is desirable for use in research and clinical settings. The objective of this study was to evaluate a triaxial accelerometer for objective measurement of PA in the horse by assessment of their practical utility and validity. Horses were recruited to establish both the optimal site of accelerometer attachment and questionnaire designed to explore owner acceptance. Validity and cut-off values were obtained by assessing PA at various gaits. Validation study- 20 horses wore the accelerometer while being filmed for 10 min each of rest, walking and trotting and 5 mins of canter work. Practical utility study- five horses wore accelerometers on polls and withers for 18 h; compliance and relative data losses were quantified. Results: Accelerometry output differed significantly between the four PA levels (P < 0•001) for both wither and poll placement. For withers placement, ROC analyses found optimal sensitivity and specificity at a cut-off of <47 counts per minute (cpm) for rest (sensitivity 99.5 %, specificity 100 %), 967-2424 cpm for trotting (sensitivity 96.7 %, specificity 100 %) and ≥2425 cpm for cantering (sensitivity 96.0 %, specificity 97.0 %). Attachment at the poll resulted in optimal sensitivity and specificity at a cut-off of <707 counts per minute (cpm) for rest (sensitivity 97.5 %, specificity 99.6 %), 1546-2609 cpm for trotting (sensitivity 90.33 %, specificity 79.25 %) and ≥2610 cpm for cantering (sensitivity 100 %, specificity 100 %) In terms of practical utility, accelerometry was well tolerated and owner acceptance high. Conclusions: Accelerometry data correlated well with varying levels of in-hand equine activity. The use of accelerometers is a valid method for objective measurement of controlled PA in the horse.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2015-09-11 PubMed ID: 26362544PubMed Central: PMC4566433DOI: 10.1186/s12917-015-0550-2Google 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
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

This research explores the validity and usefulness of accelerometers in measuring physical activity in horses. The findings suggest that accelerometers can be used effectively to quantify physical activity in equine research and clinical settings.

Introduction and Objective

  • The authors introduce the importance of quantifying physical activity (PA) in horses for research and clinical applications. The objective of the study was to evaluate a triaxial accelerometer for the objective measurement of horse’s physical activity through the assessment of practical utility and validity.

Methodology

  • The researchers recruited horses to determine the optimal site for accelerometer attachment and design a questionnaire to assess owner acceptance.
  • They conducted a validation study with 20 horses; each horse wore the accelerometer while being filmed for varying durations of rest, walking, trotting, and cantering.
  • In a practical utility study, five horses wore accelerometers on their polls and withers for 18 hours. The researchers measured the compliance and quantified data losses.

Results

  • The researchers discovered significant differences in the accelerometer output between the four PA levels. Differences were observed for both wither and poll placement.
  • Analysis revealed optimal sensitivity and specificity at varying cut-off values for rest, trotting, and cantering for both wither and poll placements.
  • The accelerometers were well-tolerated by horses, and the owners showcased high acceptance towards the use of accelerometers.

Conclusion

  • The researchers concluded that accelerometer data correlated well with the varying levels of in-hand equine activity.
  • The use of accelerometers was proven to be an effective and valid method for objective measurement of controlled physical activity in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Morrison R, Sutton DG, Ramsoy C, Hunter-Blair N, Carnwath J, Horsfield E, Yam PS. (2015). Validity and practical utility of accelerometry for the measurement of in-hand physical activity in horses. BMC Vet Res, 11, 233. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-015-0550-2

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 11
Pages: 233
PII: 233

Researcher Affiliations

Morrison, R
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, Scotland. r.morrison.2@research.gla.ac.uk.
Sutton, D G M
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, Scotland. David.Sutton@glasgow.ac.uk.
Ramsoy, C
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, Scotland. 1006157R@student.gla.ac.uk.
Hunter-Blair, N
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, Scotland. 0906323H@student.gla.ac.uk.
Carnwath, J
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, Scotland. jordan.carnwath@gmail.com.
Horsfield, E
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, Scotland. emma.horsfield@icloud.com.
Yam, P S
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, Scotland. Philippa.Yam@glasgow.ac.uk.

MeSH Terms

  • Accelerometry / instrumentation
  • Accelerometry / methods
  • Accelerometry / veterinary
  • Animals
  • Horses / physiology
  • Motor Activity / physiology

Grant Funding

  • Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
  • Wellcome Trust

References

This article includes 28 references
  1. Hansen BD, Lascelles BD, Keene BW, Adams AK, Thomson AE. Evaluation of an accelerometer for at-home monitoring of spontaneous activity in dogs.. Am J Vet Res 2007 May;68(5):468-75.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.68.5.468pubmed: 17472445google scholar: lookup
  2. Yam PS, Penpraze V, Young D, Todd MS, Cloney AD, Houston-Callaghan KA, Reilly JJ. Validity, practical utility and reliability of Actigraph accelerometry for the measurement of habitual physical activity in dogs.. J Small Anim Pract 2011 Feb;52(2):86-91.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2010.01025.xpubmed: 21265847google scholar: lookup
  3. Morrison R, Penpraze V, Beber A, Reilly JJ, Yam PS. Associations between obesity and physical activity in dogs: a preliminary investigation.. J Small Anim Pract 2013 Nov;54(11):570-4.
    doi: 10.1111/jsap.12142pubmed: 24117778google scholar: lookup
  4. Morrison R, Penpraze V, Greening R, Underwood T, Reilly JJ, Yam PS. Correlates of objectively measured physical activity in dogs.. Vet J 2014 Feb;199(2):263-7.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.11.023pubmed: 24378292google scholar: lookup
  5. Lascelles BD, Hansen BD, Thomson A, Pierce CC, Boland E, Smith ES. Evaluation of a digitally integrated accelerometer-based activity monitor for the measurement of activity in cats.. Vet Anaesth Analg 2008 Mar;35(2):173-83.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1467-2995.2007.00367.xpubmed: 17927675google scholar: lookup
  6. Robert B, White BJ, Renter DG, Larson RL. Evaluation of three-dimensional accelerometers to monitor and classify behavior patterns in cattle.. Comput Electron Agric 2009;67(1–2):80–4.
    doi: 10.1016/j.compag.2009.03.002google scholar: lookup
  7. Burla J-B, Ostertag A, Schulze Westerath H, Hillmann E. Gait determination and activity measurement in horses using an accelerometer.. Comput Electron Agric 2014;102:127–33.
    doi: 10.1016/j.compag.2014.01.001google scholar: lookup
  8. Freedson PS, Melanson E, Sirard J. Calibration of the Computer Science and Applications, Inc. accelerometer.. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1998 May;30(5):777-81.
    doi: 10.1097/00005768-199805000-00021pubmed: 9588623google scholar: lookup
  9. Corder K, Ekelund U, Steele RM, Wareham NJ, Brage S. Assessment of physical activity in youth.. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2008 Sep;105(3):977-87.
    doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00094.2008pubmed: 18635884google scholar: lookup
  10. Reilly JJ, Penpraze V, Hislop J, Davies G, Grant S, Paton JY. Objective measurement of physical activity and sedentary behaviour: review with new data.. Arch Dis Child 2008 Jul;93(7):614-9.
    doi: 10.1136/adc.2007.133272pubmed: 18305072google scholar: lookup
  11. De Vries SI, Van Hirtum HW, Bakker I, Hopman-Rock M, Hirasing RA, Van Mechelen W. Validity and reproducibility of motion sensors in youth: a systematic update.. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2009 Apr;41(4):818-27.
    doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e31818e5819pubmed: 19276851google scholar: lookup
  12. Westerterp KR. Pattern and intensity of physical activity.. Nature 2001 Mar 29;410(6828):539.
    doi: 10.1038/35069142pubmed: 11279482google scholar: lookup
  13. Montgomery C, Reilly JJ, Jackson DM, Kelly LA, Slater C, Paton JY, Grant S. Relation between physical activity and energy expenditure in a representative sample of young children.. Am J Clin Nutr 2004 Sep;80(3):591-6.
    pubmed: 15321797doi: 10.1093/ajcn/80.3.591google scholar: lookup
  14. Reilly JJ, Kelly L, Montgomery C, Williamson A, Fisher A, McColl JH, Lo Conte R, Paton JY, Grant S. Physical activity to prevent obesity in young children: cluster randomised controlled trial.. BMJ 2006 Nov 18;333(7577):1041.
    doi: 10.1136/bmj.38979.623773.55pmc: PMC1647320pubmed: 17028105google scholar: lookup
  15. Ness AR, Leary SD, Mattocks C, Blair SN, Reilly JJ, Wells J, Ingle S, Tilling K, Smith GD, Riddoch C. Objectively measured physical activity and fat mass in a large cohort of children.. PLoS Med 2007 Mar;4(3):e97.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.0040097pmc: PMC1831734pubmed: 17388663google scholar: lookup
  16. Hughes AR, Stewart L, Chapple J, McColl JH, Donaldson MD, Kelnar CJ, Zabihollah M, Ahmed F, Reilly JJ. Randomized, controlled trial of a best-practice individualized behavioral program for treatment of childhood overweight: Scottish Childhood Overweight Treatment Trial (SCOTT).. Pediatrics 2008 Mar;121(3):e539-46.
    doi: 10.1542/peds.2007-1786pubmed: 18310175google scholar: lookup
  17. Robertson W, Stewart-Brown S, Wilcock E, Oldfield M, Thorogood M. Utility of accelerometers to measure physical activity in children attending an obesity treatment intervention.. J Obes 2011;2011.
    pmc: PMC2952817pubmed: 20953356doi: 10.1155/2011/398918google scholar: lookup
  18. Morrison R, Reilly JJ, Penpraze V, Pendlebury E, Yam PS. A 6-month observational study of changes in objectively measured physical activity during weight loss in dogs.. J Small Anim Pract 2014 Nov;55(11):566-70.
    doi: 10.1111/jsap.12273pubmed: 25352110google scholar: lookup
  19. Stephenson HM, Green MJ, Freeman SL. Prevalence of obesity in a population of horses in the UK.. Vet Rec 2011 Feb 5;168(5):131.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.c6281pubmed: 21257596google scholar: lookup
  20. Wyse CA, McNie KA, Tannahill VJ, Murray JK, Love S. Prevalence of obesity in riding horses in Scotland.. Vet Rec 2008 May 3;162(18):590-1.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.162.18.590pubmed: 18453379google scholar: lookup
  21. Treiber KH, Kronfeld DS, Hess TM, Byrd BM, Splan RK, Staniar WB. Evaluation of genetic and metabolic predispositions and nutritional risk factors for pasture-associated laminitis in ponies.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2006 May 15;228(10):1538-45.
    doi: 10.2460/javma.228.10.1538pubmed: 16677122google scholar: lookup
  22. Piccione G, Costa A, Giannetto C, Caola G. Daily rhythms of activity in horses housed in different stabling conditions.. Biol Rhythm Res 2007;39(1):79–84.
    doi: 10.1080/09291010701324723google scholar: lookup
  23. O'Hara NM, Baranowski T, Simons-Morton BG, Wilson BS, Parcel G. Validity of the observation of children's physical activity.. Res Q Exerc Sport 1989 Mar;60(1):42-7.
    doi: 10.1080/02701367.1989.10607412pubmed: 2489824google scholar: lookup
  24. Feuerman M, Miller AR. Relationships between statistical measures of agreement: sensitivity, specificity and kappa.. J Eval Clin Pract 2008 Oct;14(5):930-3.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2753.2008.00984.xpubmed: 19018927google scholar: lookup
  25. Altman DG. Practical statistics for medical research. London: Chapman & Hall; 1991.
  26. Bouten CV, Sauren AA, Verduin M, Janssen JD. Effects of placement and orientation of body-fixed accelerometers on the assessment of energy expenditure during walking.. Med Biol Eng Comput 1997 Jan;35(1):50-6.
    doi: 10.1007/BF02510392pubmed: 9136191google scholar: lookup
  27. Hampson BA, Morton JM, Mills PC, Trotter MG, Lamb DW, Pollitt CC. Monitoring distances travelled by horses using GPS tracking collars.. Aust Vet J 2010 May;88(5):176-81.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2010.00564.xpubmed: 20529024google scholar: lookup
  28. Mattocks C, Leary S, Ness A, Deere K, Saunders J, Tilling K, Kirkby J, Blair SN, Riddoch C. Calibration of an accelerometer during free-living activities in children.. Int J Pediatr Obes 2007;2(4):218-26.
    doi: 10.1080/17477160701408809pubmed: 17852552google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Siegers E, van Wijk E, van den Broek J, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan M, Munsters C. Longitudinal Training and Workload Assessment in Young Friesian Stallions in Relation to Fitness: Part 1. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 16;13(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13040689pubmed: 36830476google scholar: lookup
  2. Ikurior SJ, Marquetoux N, Leu ST, Corner-Thomas RA, Scott I, Pomroy WE. What Are Sheep Doing? Tri-Axial Accelerometer Sensor Data Identify the Diel Activity Pattern of Ewe Lambs on Pasture. Sensors (Basel) 2021 Oct 13;21(20).
    doi: 10.3390/s21206816pubmed: 34696028google scholar: lookup
  3. Rumpel AS, Alievi MM, Jardim Filho JO, Rozo CAC, Schuster LAH, da Silva AV, Ferreira MP. Can the training regimen influence night time physical activity in racehorses?. Vet Anim Sci 2021 Dec;14:100208.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vas.2021.100208pubmed: 34622089google scholar: lookup
  4. Silvers BL, Leatherwood JL, Arnold CE, Nielsen BD, Huseman CJ, Dominguez BJ, Glass KG, Martinez RE, Much ML, Bradbery AN. Effects of aquatic conditioning on cartilage and bone metabolism in young horses. J Anim Sci 2020 Aug 1;98(8).
    doi: 10.1093/jas/skaa239pubmed: 32717078google scholar: lookup
  5. Chodkiewicz A, Prończuk M, Studnicki M. Artificial intelligence tools to assess different levels of activity performed by semi-wild horses in grassland ecosystems. Environ Monit Assess 2025 Jul 16;197(8):922.
    doi: 10.1007/s10661-025-14363-1pubmed: 40665113google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,001 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.