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Variation in GPS and accelerometer recorded velocity and stride parameters of galloping Thoroughbred horses
Author(s) -
MorriceWest Ashleigh V.,
Hitchens Peta L.,
Walmsley Elizabeth A.,
Stevenson Mark A.,
Wong Adelene S. M.,
Whitton R. Chris
Publication year - 2021
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.13370
Subject(s) - stride , horse , accelerometer , gait , mathematics , physical medicine and rehabilitation , statistics , medicine , biology , computer science , paleontology , operating system
Background With each stride, galloping horses generate large skeletal loads which influence bone physiology, and may contribute to musculoskeletal injury. Horse speed and stride characteristics are related, but the usefulness of using horse speed and distance travelled as a proxy for stride characteristics is unknown. Objectives We aimed to determine stride characteristics, their variance and their relationship with speed in horses performing maximally. Study design Retrospective cross‐sectional analysis of archived data. Methods Stride characteristics obtained using GPS and inertial sensors in Thoroughbred horses were retrieved. Data per 200 m race segment (‘sectionals’) for horses competing in races (N = 25,259 race starts) were analysed to determine if speed predicted stride parameters. Multivariable mixed‐effects linear regression models were fitted. Results Mean (±SD) stride length, stride count (number of strides per 200 m), duration and speed were 7.08 ± 0.39 m, 28.32 ± 1.56 strides/200 m, 0.43 ± 0.02 s/stride and 16.63 ± 1.04 m/s across all sectionals and starts. Speed and stride length decreased, and stride count increased with race progression ( P < 0.001). Male sex, greater race distance, better finishing position and firmer track surfaces were associated with less strides per 200 m and longer stride durations. Main limitations Lack of an independent party validation of the measurement system used in this study. Conclusions There was a substantial inter‐horse variation in stride parameters, with speed predicting half or less of this variation. Speed alone does not fully explain stride characteristics in horses. Future studies aimed at investigating the impact of gait on bone biology and pathology would benefit from accounting for stride characteristics (eg length and duration).