Effect of walking velocity on forelimb kinematics and kinetics

Abstract

SummaryA database of biomechanical variables obtained from normal horses walking at a range of velocities is needed for comparison with the variables obtained from lame horses in which velocity cannot be predetermined. The objective was to investigate velocity-dependent changes in selected kinematic variables, ground reaction forces (GRF) and net joint energies in the forelimb and to develop statistical equations to calculate expected values of these variables for horses walking at different velocities. Five sound horses walked at a range of velocities (0.82 to 1.91 m/s) over a force plate. Kinematic data were recorded simultaneously for 51 trials. Kinematic, GRF and energetic variables were determined using standard methods. Correlation and simple regression analyses between velocity and measured variables were performed. An increase in walking velocity was correlated with an increase in stride length and decreases in stride and stance duration. Vertical, braking and propulsive impulses decreased as a consequence of the large reduction in stance duration, even though peak vertical, braking and propulsive GRFs increased. There was no significant increase in energy generation at any of the forelimb joints, indicating that muscle activity was not the source of the increase in GRFs. Changes in the longitudinal GRFs appeared to be influenced by velocity-dependent increases in head and neck oscillations. The equations obtained in this study can be used to calculate the expected normal variables from a range of walking velocities and to detect deviations from normal values in lame horses.

Analysis and characterization of the normal gait phases of walking Warmblood horses as a tool for the diagnosis of lameness

“…According to Keegan et al (2004), the use of combined photogrammetry and accelerometry provides a tool for the diagnosis of complex cases of lameness. Unfortunately, when clinical cases are presented, the data from the patient in the sound condition to use as a normal comparison are unavailable (Khumsap et al 2002). The results of this research contributed to the characterization of the phases of horse's normal gait of walking Warmblood horses for clinical purposes.…”

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of intra-articular injection of triamcinolone acetonide, mepivacaine hydrochloride, or both on lipopolysaccharide-induced lameness in horses

“…26,[28][29][30][31][32][33] All had pain-free range of motion of the MCP joint, and there was no clinical or radiographic (routine lateromedial and dorsoproximal-palmarodistal oblique [15 o ] views) evidence of pathologic conditions of the articular or periarticular MCP joint. Horses were included when they had unremarkable results of clinical examination and routine hematologic and serum biochemical analyses, were not clinically lame, and had mean bilateral forelimb VFP (as a percentage of body weight) values consistent with soundness.…”

Grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) locomotion: forelimb joint mechanics across speed in the sagittal and frontal planes

“…This may produce different results in horses and bears at intermediate speeds, as well as across the gait transition. In walking horses, energy absorption at the shoulder increases with speed, specifically at the end of stance (Khumsap et al, 2002); this suggests that the forelimb may increase energy absorption with increasing speed at that gait. However, in trotting horses, the shoulder provides propulsion towards the end of stance, resulting in the production of positive work (Clayton et al, 1998;Dutto et al, 2006).…”