The use of surface electromyography within equine performance analysis

Equine athletes participate in a wide range of equestrian disciplines. Performance analysis in sport is the collection and subsequent analysis of data, or key information sets, related to facets of training and / or competition, to accelerate and improve athletic performance. Equine performance analysis research aims to optimise the potential competition success of the horse whilst concurrently promoting health and welfare and increasing career longevity. Despite the benefits associated with performance analysis, its application is limited in equine sport.Surface electromyography (sEMG) is a non-invasive technique which illustrates recruitment patterns of superficial skeletal muscle and can provide quantitative data on the activity within muscle during dynamic motion. sEMG has the potential to contribute to equine performance analysis particularly via assessment of muscle recruitment, activity and adaptation within training regimens and during competition. The critical commentary demonstrates the potential of surface electromyography (sEMG) as an effective performance analysis tool that could be used to assess the physiological response of muscle during field-based exercise in the horse and provides examples of how sEMG data obtained could guide improvements in the efficacy of training regimens for the equine athlete. Critical reflection on four peer-reviewed evidence sources was conducted to establish their contribution to equine performance research and to facilitate debate of future research directions for equine sEMG. The research demonstrates the validity of telemetric sEMG as an emerging technology that could be used to analyse muscle performance in the equine athlete for defined events, for example jumping a fence, and to assess performance over time, for example monitoring muscle activity during interval training. Opportunities also exist to determine the efficacy of muscle-related clinical and therapeutic interventions such as prophylactic dentistry or physiotherapy. The preliminary research presented suggests the use of equine sEMG as a performance analysis tool has most value to assess and compare muscle performance during exercise within individual horses. However further research is required to substantiate this. Future studies integrating larger sample sizes, horses selected from specific equestrian disciplines and breeds, and further exploration of the impact of coat length and sEMG sensor placement on data obtained would be worthwhile to standardise and validate the protocols employed here. Equine performance is a complex area; future work needs to focus on the individual characteristics that contribute to desired performance goals, but should also evaluate performance as a holistic entity. It is essential for progression in the performance field that research undertaken is shared with the equine industry to enable practical implementation. The use of sEMG in the equine athlete has the potential to increase understanding of how muscle responds to exercise and could help create an evidence-base to inform individual and discipline-specific training regimens. Increased efficacy in training should promote success, enhancing performance and extending career longevity for the equine athlete, whilst indirectly benefiting the horse’s health and welfare through improved management practices and injury reduction

The Effects of an Equine Riding Simulator as an Objective Feedback Modality on Learning Outcomes for Rider Competency on Performance Skills in Equestrian Riding Fundamentals

This study examined the effects of different feedback modalities provided during simulated-based practice on performance and perceptions. In addition, the research also addressed the relationship between participants\u27 feedback literacy, perceptions, and improvement scores. The purpose of this research was motivated by the emerging equine simulation technology that provides feedback on movement and coordination during complex motor skill acquisition. Selecting an effective feedback approach for simulation-based practice in motor skill learning is contingent on the complexity of the performance skill and the learner\u27s experience. However, the learner\u27s feedback literacy can result in contradictory performance and perceptions despite the feedback approach experienced. Feedback literacy is a concept that identifies a learner\u27s ability to uptake feedback. This mixed-methods study used the conceptual framework of Carless\u27s 3P Model of the Learner Experience of Feedback. Seventy-five participants completed the study, consisting of three 10-minute practice sessions with a pre/posttest and an exit survey at the end of their third session. The study demonstrated that the combination of instructor- and simulator-mediated feedback had the most significant impact on improvement scores by the completion of three practice sessions. Regardless of feedback modality, the novice participants had the most significant improvement score impact by the completion of three practice sessions. When an instructor provided feedback, participants had more positive perceptions of the practice experience. The study supported that the higher the participant\u27s feedback literacy, the more they engaged in practice, appreciated feedback, and improved on performance scores, regardless of feedback received. The lower a participant\u27s feedback literacy, the more negative they were about the experience and their perceived improvement, and the higher likelihood of disengaging during practice, regardless of feedback received. The results indicate that a multi-modality approach to feedback in simulation-based motor skill practice is effective. The findings also support that feedback literacy influences a learner\u27s engagement during practice, and instructor feedback can mitigate the negative influences of low feedback literacy. Conclusions from this research suggest that using a horseback riding simulator has the potential to improve riding seat skills and supports an equine welfare-minded approach to learning in equestrian sports

Electromyographic evaluation of muscle firing patterns in the ridden horse during jumping as an objective method of informing current jump training programmes

The sport of show jumping (SJ) places great physical demands on the equine athlete. Despite this, selection and training strategies for the equine jumping athlete are largely based on anecdotal methods. SJ horses are generally selected at a young age based on quality of movement and jump technique. Numerous studies have provided information on the biomechanical demands of jumping. However, research has not sufficiently investigated how quality jump technique and performance may be improved through training in the SJ horse. The horse’s ability to execute the physical demands required for SJ is greatly influenced by muscular adaptation to training. Scientifically evidenced training programmes incorporate exercises, which mimic the duration, intensity, neuromuscular activity and movement patterns that are experienced during competition. However, a lack of understanding on how equine muscles facilitate the jumping effort represents a major gap in knowledge. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to explore muscle firing patterns, which facilitate “quality” movement during different phases of the equine jump and to determine whether these support traditional training methods in the jumping horse. Surface electromyography (sEMG) and three-dimensional (3D) kinematic data were collected synchronously from a group of elite and non-elite jumping horses during canter and jump trials over a 1.0m fence. sEMG data were collected from the Superficial Gluteal, Biceps Femoris (vertebral head), Triceps Brachii (long head), Trapezius (cervical head), and Splenius. Lack of standardised methods within equine sEMG research represents a major gap in knowledge. Therefore, four original studies were conducted to develop optimal methods for the acquisition and analysis of sEMG data collected from equine subjects during jumping. These methods were employed in the main study of the thesis. An original questionnaire was designed to define “quality” movement and “traditional” training methods in the jumping horse, based on the opinions and preferences of highly qualified equestrians. Questionnaire results revealed obvious preferences for specific movement traits, which were used to inform kinematic data analysis. The incorporation of questionnaire findings ensured that research had practical application within the equine industry. Kinematic data analysis in the main study of the thesis revealed that “quality” movement traits between elite and non-elite athletes were largely non-significant. These findings suggested that movement alone may not be an accurate method for differentiating between good and poor jump technique and performance. However, sEMG data revealed differences in neuromuscular strategies between groups, which had a direct influence on jump technique. Elite horses exhibited the greatest capacity for generation of muscular force and power, particularly in the hindlimb during jump take-off. This finding was evidenced by greater: integrated EMG (iEMG), average rectified value, and peak amplitude data. As a result, “quality” jump technique was facilitated through greater vertical displacement and velocity of the centre of mass (CM) during jump take-off and suspension phases. These findings provide objective evidence for equestrians to place greater emphasis on strength (anaerobic training), as questionnaire findings revealed a trend for largely aerobic training programmes in the jumping horse. Findings also suggest that equestrians prioritise movement traits, which are indicative of muscular strength when selecting equine jumping athletes. This study has demonstrated the benefits of sEMG for the development of scientifically evidenced training and selection processes in the equine SJ athlete

Animal Welfare Assessment

This Special Issue provides a collection of recent research and reviews that investigate many areas of welfare assessment, such as novel approaches and technologies used to evaluate the welfare of farmed, captive, or wild animals. Research in this Special Issue includes welfare assessment related to pilot whales, finishing pigs, commercial turkey flocks, and dairy goats; the use of sensors or wearable technologies, such as heart rate monitors to assess sleep in dairy cows, ear tag sensors, and machine learning to assess commercial pig behaviour; non-invasive measures, such as video monitoring of behaviour, computer vision to analyse video footage of red foxes, remote camera traps of free-roaming wild horses, infrared thermography of effort and sport recovery in sport horses; telomere length and regulatory genes as novel biomarkers of stress in broiler chickens; the effect of environment on growth physiology and behaviour of laboratory rare minnows and housing system on anxiety, stress, fear, and immune function of laying hens; and discussions of natural behaviour in farm animal welfare and maintaining health, welfare, and productivity of commercial pig herds

Correlación clínica y ultrasonográfica de las alteraciones en el esqueleto axial equino y las cojeras torácicas y pélvicas detectadas mediante evaluación objetiva

Cervical and thoracolumbar changes are commonly found in sports animals and may be related to biomechanical alterations, driving movement, and the type of saddle used. The objective of this study was to characterize the correlation between clinical and ultrasonographic findings of the equine axial skeleton with objective evaluation lameness in the thoracic or pelvic limbs. A total of 76 horses of the mounted cavalry with an average of ten years of age, divided between castrated males and females of indeterminate breeds, were submitted to clinical, ultrasonographic and objective evaluations. The evaluated variables were classified in scores from 0 to 4, for later statistical analysis spearman correlation through the RStudio® software. The animals were classified into six groups according to the objective, clinical and ultrasonographic changes. A weak positive correlation was observed between the objective evaluation variable in relation to the clinical (r = 0.1, p > 0,05) and ultrasonographic (r = 0.1, p > 0,05) evaluation variables. In the present study, it was impossible to consider the correlations statistically significant since the p-value was higher than the significance level of 5%. Therefore, the associated evaluation of the axial and appendicular skeleton is of fundamental importance in the clinical routine to investigate musculoskeletal changes. This was demonstrated in the present study, where 68.42% (n=52) presented both clinical and ultrasonographic changes of the axial skeleton concomitantly with thoracic and/or pelvic lameness.As alterações cervicais e toracolombares são comumente encontradas em animais de esporte e podem estar relacionadas a alterações biomecânicas, movimento de condução e ao tipo de sela utilizada. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar a correlação entre os achados clínicos e ultrassonográficos do esqueleto axial equino com a avaliação objetiva de claudicação nos membros torácicos ou pélvicos. Um total de 76 cavalos da cavalaria montada, com uma média de dez anos de idade, divididos entre machos castrados e fêmeas de raças indeterminadas, foram submetidos a avaliações clínicas, ultrassonográficas e objetivas. As variáveis avaliadas foram classificadas em escores de 0 a 4, para posterior análise estatística de correlação de Spearman por meio do software RStudio®. Os animais foram classificados em seis grupos de acordo com as alterações na avaliações objetiva, clínica e ultrassonográfica. Foi observada uma correlação positiva fraca entre a variável de avaliação objetiva em relação às variáveis de avaliação clínica (r = 0,1, p > 0,05) e ultrassonográfica (r = 0,1, p > 0,05). No presente estudo, não foi possível considerar as correlações estatisticamente significativas, uma vez que o valor de p foi superior ao nível de significância de 5%. Portanto, a avaliação associada do esqueleto axial e apendicular é de fundamental importância na rotina clínica para investigar alterações musculoesqueléticas. Isso foi demonstrado no presente estudo, onde 68,42% (n=52) apresentaram tanto alterações clínicas quanto ultrassonográficas no esqueleto axial concomitantemente com claudicação torácica e/ou pélvica.Las alteraciones cervicales y toracolumbares son comunes en animales deportivos y pueden estar relacionadas con cambios biomecánicos, el movimiento de conducción y el tipo de silla utilizada. El objetivo de este estudio fue caracterizar la correlación entre los hallazgos clínicos y ultrasonográficos del esqueleto axial equino con la evaluación objetiva de la cojera en las extremidades torácicas o pélvicas. Un total de 76 caballos de la caballería montada, con una media de diez años de edad, divididos entre machos castrados y hembras de razas indeterminadas, se sometieron a evaluaciones clínicas, ultrasonográficas y objetivas. Las variables evaluadas se clasificaron en puntuaciones del 0 al 4, para un posterior análisis estadístico de correlación de Spearman mediante el software RStudio®. Los animales se clasificaron en seis grupos de acuerdo con las alteraciones en las evaluaciones objetivas, clínicas y ultrasonográficas. Se observó una correlación positiva débil entre la variable de evaluación objetiva en relación con las variables de evaluación clínica (r = 0,1, p > 0,05) y ultrasonográfica (r = 0,1, p > 0,05). En el presente estudio, no fue posible considerar las correlaciones estadísticamente significativas, ya que el valor de p fue superior al nivel de significancia del 5%. Por lo tanto, la evaluación conjunta del esqueleto axial y apendicular es de fundamental importancia en la rutina clínica para investigar las alteraciones musculoesqueléticas. Esto se demostró en el presente estudio, donde el 68,42% (n=52) presentó tanto alteraciones clínicas como ultrasonográficas en el esqueleto axial de manera concomitante con la cojera torácica y/o pélvica

Place, recreation and local development

Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Monitoring and Management of Visitors in Recreational and Protected Areas (MMV9), Bordeaux, FRA, 29-/08/2018 - 31/08/2018It is our pleasure to welcome you to the 9th international Conference on Monitoring and Management of Visitors in Recreational and Protected Areas (MMV9) with a program including keynote speeches, organized and poster sessions, a half-day field trip, social events and post conference trips. This is the first time that France has hosted an MMV Conference. Our country is ranked as the world's top tourist destination, thanks largely to its culture, art, and gastronomy, as well as popular cities such as Paris and Bordeaux. On the other hand, France's potential as a destination for outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism is not hugely publicized, despite its many unique features in this respect: varied climate and natural assets (shoreline, mountains, lakes, and forests), large expanses of countryside, and a network of protected natural areas, to name but a few. France's protected areas are often free to access for the general public. However, in contrast with other countries, nature conservation in specific areas is much less widespread. Where it does take place, it is often centered on territories that are perceived to be "attractive", and where many conflicting activities are practiced. This may be one of the reasons why contractual tools and regional park systems are quite popular in France. The MMV Conference offers an excellent opportunity to discuss the situation in France in greater depth. The theme proposed for the conference was "recreation, place and local development". This reflects our assumption that recreational areas are not just physical assets designed to receive visitors for the purpose of leisure - which in itself would already be something of great importance - but that they reflect deeper social phenomena, as demonstrated through the range of organized sessions dedicated to discussing questions such as environmental education and economic development, but also emerging themes such as social integration, community resilience, environmental justice, and health. The traditional topics covered by MMV Conference reflect an evolving society: with innovations in monitoring techniques (both on people and nature), focus on new populations (Y generation, ethnic minority) and a larger concern for individual engagement and participative management. The 9th Edition of MMV is co-hosted by Irstea and BSA. This would not have been possible without significant contributions from a large number of additional partners and sponsors as well as our national scientific and organizing committee. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their help. After two years of planning, we are proud to announce that we have more than 160 presentations from 30 countries, meaning that the conference will host over 200 participants from across the globe. We are honored that the International Steering Committee has given us the opportunity to be part of this great MMV community, which organized its first meeting in 2002. We hope you will enjoy the conference as much as we enjoyed organizing it. If you can't be with us in person, we hope that you will enjoy reading our publications

Biomechanics of Head Impacts in an Unhelmeted Sport

Concussion in sport is very common and often the injury is undetectable using CT and MRI scans. In addition, approximately 50% of concussions areunreported.The project initially investigated the suitability of a skin patch sensor and a head-band sensorfor the measurement of head impacts in unhelmeted sports. It was found that both were unsuitable due to large angular accelerationerrors. Thestudy then collaborated withCAMLab at Stanford University and 25 Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athletes were fitted CAMLab’s validated instrumented mouthguard. 451 video confirmed impacts were recorded at 19 sparring and 11 competitive MMA events. Five concussions were diagnosed during the competitive events. The most severe impacts were simulated using the Global Human Body Model Consortium head model. The average resultant linear acceleration of the impacts that resulted in a concussion was approximately 20% lower than concussive studies of US football while the resultant average angular acceleration was 34% higher. It ishypothesised that these differences are due to the high energy frontal impacts in US football as opposed to the ‘hook’ style punches in MMA.Large strains in the mid-brain occurred from frontal impacts whereas lateralimpacts resultedin large strains in the corpus callosum. It was found that the average strain in the corpus callosum of the concussed athletes was 0.27 which was 88% higher than that in uninjured fighters. In collaboration with the Genetics department in Trinity College Dublin it was found that the maximum principal strain correlated (R2=0.84) with the volume fraction of blood brain barrierdisruptionpost-fight. In conjunction with Stanford University,it was found that the spectral density of MMA impacts was higher than that in US football.This study is the first known study to measure in vivohead impacts in unhelmeted athletes that have suffered a concussion

Equine gait-related eliminations in British endurance: Identifying risk factors to improve horse welfare

Introduction: Endurance is an equestrian sport where horse and rider combinations compete up to 160km in one day. In order to be successful within competition, horses must pass a metabolic and gait assessment by licenced veterinarians, not only at the start, but during and at the end of the competition. If they fail this inspection they are eliminated from competition. Lameness has been identified as the leading cause of elimination in studies of international-level competition but had not been evaluated in British Endurance.Aim: To identify risk factors for lameness eliminations in British national competition, including details such as which limb(s) are most frequently identified as lame.Methods: A retrospective epidemiological study followed by two prospective studies were conducted. First, competition data recorded by Endurance GB were analysed. Univariable analysis was used to inform two multivariable binary logistic regression models with the dichotomous variables pass/did not pass and lame/ not lame. These results informed the design of the prospective studies. The first determined whether there were significant differences between forelimb and hindlimb eliminations. The second prospective study investigated thoracolumbar back pain on palpation and tested inter-rater reliability of veterinary inspections for limb identification, lameness grade and epaxial muscle palpation.Results: Retrospective study: Risk factors identified as significant (P<0.05) in the final multivariable models included historic cumulative distances attempted, historical number of starts, eliminations and specifically lameness eliminations. Prospective studies: Technicality of the course in terms of steepness was an additional risk factor for single loop rides, whereas it was not for multi- loop rides. Increased average speed was a risk factor in multi-loop rides. Hindlimb lameness was identified more frequently than forelimb lameness. Asymmetrical back palpation was a significant risk factor for elimination and lameness across all distances. Inter-rater reliability of limb identification was excellent with 100% agreement between the assessors when two veterinarians were used (K=1, p<0.001, C.I.0.86-1.14) and remained excellent when three veterinarians identified the lame limb (K=0.83, p<0.001, C.I.0.75-0.9).Conclusions: The results of this thesis considering British national level, agree with previous findings at international level, identifying lameness as the most common reason for elimination from competition. High cumulative distances, an increased number of starts and repeated eliminations are significant risk factors for gait-related elimination. Differences in risk factors exist between lower level competitions and higher distance competitions at National level. Palpation of the horse’s back during the veterinary inspection should be considered as an important component of the examination across all levels of competition. While Further work is required to better understand the cause and effect relationship between back pain and lameness at competition. The High levels of inter-rater reliability in lame limb identification and thoracolumbar epaxial palpation reported should give confidence in the veterinary panel. Competitors in endurance should heed the veterinarians’ expert opinion to safeguard their horses’ welfare and the social licence to operate of the sport. Understanding and recognising risk factors for lameness in competition, by all stakeholders within the sport will protect the welfare of the horse as well as improve competitive performance, as ultimately, lame horses cannot win