Water depth modifies back kinematics of horses during water treadmill exercise

Abstract

SummaryReasons for performing study: Water treadmill exercise can be incorporated into the rehabilitation programmes of horses recovering from back pathology, yet little is known about the effect of this type of exercise on thoracolumbar movement ranges. Objectives: To measure the flexion-extension range of motion (FE ROM) of the thoracolumbar spine and pelvic vertical displacement during water treadmill walking at 3 water depths and compare these with the control condition. Study design: Within-subject trial using a crossover design in healthy horses. Methods: A total of 14 horses walked at 0.8 m/s on a water treadmill for 3 min at each of the following depths; hoof (control), metatarsophalangeal joint (low), tarsal joint (medium) and femoropatellar joint (high). Skin surface markers on T6, T10, T13, T18, L3, L5 and S3 were used to obtain FE ROM and the minimum and maximum angular motion pattern values (AMPmin and AMPmax) for T10, T13, T18, L3 and L5. Markers placed on left and right tuber coxae were used to obtain pelvic vertical displacement. Friedman's tests and post hoc Wilcoxon's signed ranks tests were used to determine the effects of water depth on measured variables. Results: The FE ROM of T10 (8.4°), T13 (8.1°), T18 (6.9°) and L3 (6.4°) when walking at high depth was significantly greater than control (5.5, 5.7, 5.1 and 5.1°, respectively; P<0.008); T13 AMPmin was significantly lower in high water (À3.0°) than control (0.1°, P = 0.001) and L3 AMPmax significantly greater in high water (À1.9°) than control (À4.8°, P = 0.001). There was no significant association between pelvic vertical displacement and water depth. Conclusions: Walking in high water causes cranial thoracic extension and thoracolumbar flexion when compared with walking in water at hoof depth. This postural change should be considered when designing rehabilitation programmes for horses with back and/or hindlimb pathology.

The use of the water treadmill for the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries in the sport horse

“…Treadmill locomotion (land treadmill and WT) is characterised by an increase in the retraction of the limb because the foot is drawn caudally by the moving belt during the stance phase (4). Increased retraction has been also documented in the hindlimb on a WT and this retraction increased with water depth (25, 27). Increased retraction could be counterproductive in the rehabilitation of certain conditions such as proximal SuspL desmitis in the hindlimbs.…”

“…Exercise on a WT is being incorporated into the rehabilitation of horses with loss of performance and back stiffness, although its effectiveness has not yet been proven. In addition, it appears that each horse with a back injury can adopt different kinematic strategies in order to adapt to the depth of water according to its conformation (22, 25). The kinematics of the back during exercise on a WT is modified by the position of the head and neck and by the kinematic changes of the limbs.…”

Survey of trainers on the use of swimming exercise for Standardbred racehorses in Australia

“…37 However, the effect of swimming on the kinematics of the back has not been studied to our knowledge and the role of swimming exercise in inducing or conversely in preventing or managing back soreness is unknown. Contraindications were only reported by a minority of trainers who utilised swimming.…”

“…The 'head up' posture and buoyancy of the trunk when horses walk in stifle-depth water is associated with an increased range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine because of the increased cranial thoracic extension and thoracolumbar flexion. 37 However, the effect of swimming on the kinematics of the back has not been studied to our knowledge and the role of swimming exercise in inducing or conversely in preventing or managing back soreness is unknown.…”

Workload of horses on a water treadmill: effect of speed and water height on oxygen consumption and cardiorespiratory parameters

“…This increases the pelvic flexion and decreases lateral bending [ 28 ]. High levels of water result in cranial thoracic extension and thoracolumbar flexion [ 29 ]. With water at the height of the carpus and ulna, the horse is forced to push through the water, resulting in an increased stride length and decreased stride frequency [ 2 ].…”