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Thoracolumbar Flexion‐Extension During Water Treadmill Walking
Author(s) -
Nankervis K,
Entwistle L,
GervaiseBrazier S,
Earl S,
TwiggFlesner A
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
equine veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.82
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 2042-3306
pISSN - 0425-1644
DOI - 10.1111/evj.12267_163
Subject(s) - hock , hoof , pelvis , significant difference , anatomy , medicine , horse , orthodontics , geology , paleontology
Water treadmill exercise is used for rehabilitating horses with back dysfunction, yet little is known about the effect of this type of exercise on back movement. Methods 8 horses walked in water level with the hoof, fetlock, hock and stifle. Reflective markers over the dorsal spinous processes of T6 , T10 , T13 , T18 , L3 , L5 and S3 and left and right tuber coxae were used to measure flexion‐extension range of movement ( F ‐E ROM ) around T10 , T13 , T18 , L3 and L5 , vertical displacement of the pelvis (Pelvic ROM ) and vertical distance between T13 and L5 (lowest and highest point of the back). 3D coordinates were tracked using ProReflex cameras. 5–9 strides were analysed for each horse at each water height. Repeated measures ANOVA and post hoc tests were used to determine differences in measured variables between water heights (P < 0.05). Results Peak flexion of T10, T13 , T18 and L3 occurred in hock height water. Peak extension of T18 , L3 and L5 occurred in stifle height water without a significant difference in F ‐E ROM between water heights (P>0.05). Pelvic ROM was greatest in stifle height water, with no significant difference between water heights. The vertical distance between T13 and L5 was greatest in stifle height water (P<0.05 between hoof and hock height water) as a result of an elevation of L5 relative to T13 . Conclusions As water height increases L5 is elevated relative to T13 , increasing the tendency for extension of the thoracolumbar spine. To maximise thoracolumbar flexion and avoid extension, water at hock height is more beneficial then stifle height water. Ethical Animal Research Project approved by H artpury C ollege R esearch E thics C ommittee. Sources of funding: H artpury C ollege. Competing interests: none.