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Objective Assessment of Back Kinematics and Movement Asymmetry in Horses: Effect of Elastic Resistance Band Training
Author(s) -
Simons V.,
Weller R.,
Stubbs N.C.,
Rombach N.,
Pfau T.
Publication year - 2015
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.12486_23
Subject(s) - kinematics , physical medicine and rehabilitation , symmetry (geometry) , displacement (psychology) , range of motion , gait , biomechanics , proprioception , functional movement , movement (music) , motion analysis , asymmetry , anatomy , physics , mathematics , physical therapy , medicine , computer science , geometry , psychology , artificial intelligence , classical mechanics , acoustics , psychotherapist , quantum mechanics
Reasons for performing study Training and rehabilitation techniques which improve core muscle strength are beneficial for improvement of dynamic stability of the equine vertebral column. The Equiband™ system, consisting of resistance bands attached to a customised saddle pad, is suggested to provide constant proprioceptive feedback during motion to encourage recruitment of abdominal and hindquarter musculature. Objectives To quantify the effect of the Equiband™ system on back kinematics and movement symmetry. Study design Longitudinal intervention study. Methods Quantitative analysis of back movement and gait symmetry before/after a 4‐week exercise programme. Inertial sensor data was collected from 7 horses at Weeks 0 and 4 of a fixed exercise protocol. Analysis with and without the Equiband™ system was completed at trot in hand on a hard surface, and for both reins on the lunge on a soft surface. Six back kinematic and 3 movement symmetry parameters were calculated according to published methods. Movement symmetry values were side‐corrected to allow comparison between reins on the lunge. A mixed model (P<0.05) evaluated the effects of the Equiband™ system over time, and trotting direction on back kinematic and movement symmetry parameters. Results The Equiband™ system significantly reduced (all P<0.02) roll, pitch and mediolateral displacement in the cranial‐mid thoracic region. Across all horses, back displacement and range of motion values were significantly greater (P<0.01) on the lunge than in a straight line, movement symmetry was consistent with having corrected all horses to be left‐sided. Conclusion Preliminary results suggest the Equiband™ system may aid dynamic stabilisation of the vertebral column. Ethical animal research: This study was authorised by the Ethics and Welfare Committee of the Royal Veterinary College, London ( URN Approval Number 1238). Written consent was obtained from the owner/keeper of each animal. Source of funding: Royal Veterinary College. Competing interests: N . C . S tubbs and N . R ombach developed the Equiband™ system. The remaining authors have no competing interests.