Four Weeks of Incline Water Treadmill Exercise Can Contribute to Increase Epaxial Muscle Profile in Horses

Background. Water treadmill (WT) exercise is a popular modality for the training and rehabilitation of horses. However, evidence-based literature regarding the use of WT exercise, particularly using inclines, is lacking. Objectives. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of recurring inclined WT sessions on equine epaxial muscle development. Methods. Six horses completed 24 sessions of 15 minutes of WT activity over four weeks. Horses walked with water at the midcannon level at a treadmill incline of 4%. Back traces were measured at three and seven centimetres ventral to the dorsal midline at T5, T9, T14, and T18, prior to the first session (W0) and weekly for 4 weeks (W1–4). Results. Overall, the back traces demonstrated progressive increases in muscle development ( p  < 0.05), starting at W2 up to W4. At three centimetres ventral to the dorsal midline, the most to least significant increases in gross muscle development were at T18, T5, T9, and T14, respectively, and when measured at seven centimetres ventrally, the most to least significant increases were demonstrated at T5, T18, and T14. It was noted that increases in thoracic back profile musculature were mainly observed within two to four weeks of the WT intervention. Conclusions. It has been concluded that repeated WT exercise on an inclined setting has a significant effect on the rate and size of growth of equine thoracic back profile musculature. Muscle hypertrophy due to resistance training in the WT starts at 2 weeks within the programme, and it progresses as exercise continues to be performed

Kinetics and kinematics of dog walk exercise in agility dogs of different experiences

The injury rate in agility dogs is relatively high compared to the general population. No study to date has considered the biomechanical effects of the dog walk obstacle in agility trials, highlighting a research need. This study assessed forelimb joint kinematics and peak ground reaction forces (PVF) over a dog walk agility obstacle and correlate with experience. Ten (n = 10) dogs were filmed running across a Kennel Club (KC) standard dog walk for kinematics analysis. Two pressure sensors were secured to the (1) dog walk contact area at exit and (2) ground at the end of the dog walk (landing area) for kinetics analysis. Forelimb joints angles and PVF at the contact zone at the walk exit and landing were analysed. A key finding is that the way a dog will move across the obstacle changes depending on their level of experience, with experienced dogs showing faster obstacle negotiation and increased flexion of the elbow joint compared to inexperienced competitors. Higher speeds over the dog walk also resulted in significantly increased elbow joint flexion. Another important finding is that PVF at landing are higher is dogs that are faster and also in dogs performing running technique in comparison to stopped technique. Overall, dog walk obstacle created more forelimbs joint flexion and similar PVF in comparison with previously studied agility contact obstacles which leads us to conclude that further research is required to ascertain the long term health implications for dogs used in agility trials.</p

A study using a canine hydrotherapy treadmill at five different conditions to kinematically assess range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine in dogs

Background: Incline treadmill and underwater treadmill (UWTM) exercises are common canine rehabilitation modalities , which are often used in isolation in dogs recovering from spinal surgery. Early use of an incline during UWTM exercise may have the potential to improve rehabilitation outcomes in dogs, but, it is hypothesised that dorsoventral movement of the spine may be excessive meaning it is unsuitable in some circumstances.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify changes in canine spinal kinematics in dogs when using a dry treadmill at different angles of incline compared to an underwater treadmill using the same inclines.MethodsEight dogs were encouraged to walk on a dry, horizontal, underwater treadmill as well as under the same conditions with both a 10% and 20% incline. This was then repeated at a 10% and 20% incline with the addition of water to hock level. Data were collected using reflective anatomical markers placed at the occipital protuberance, T1, T13, L3, L7 and sacral apex, captured by a high‐speed camera facing the lateral aspect of the treadmill. Dorsoventral motion of the spine as well as flexion, extension and range of motion (ROM) of T1, T13, L3 and L7 were recorded.ResultsWe found significant differences in dorsoventral spinal ROM at T1, L3 and L7, but no significant differences in T13 ROM. No significant differences were found in flexion and extension of any of the joints assessed when comparing dry conditions to the use of water (P>0.05).ConclusionsThe lack of significant differences in joint flexion and extension at T1, T13, L3 and L7 indicates the potential safe use of combining underwater treadmill and incline exercise in canine rehabilitation. However, a lack of uniformity in results makes distinguishing any patterns of significance difficult. More research is needed to establish the effects of these exercises in additional planes of motion before a treatment protocol can be established.</p

Surface electromyography (sEMG) of equine core muscles and kinematics of lumbo-sacral joint during core strengthening exercises

Dynamic Mobilisation Exercises (DME) and myotatic reflex exercises were developed with the aim of improving core strengthening in horses. Previous studies have shown DME can increase cross sectional area (CSA) and symmetry of multifidus muscle, as well as activating the external oblique abdominal, and superficial descending pectoral muscles. The aim of this study was to objectively measure activity differences in m. longissimus dorsi (LD) and m. rectus abdominus (RA) whilst performing three levels of spinal flexion and lateral bending, as well as comparing thoracic and pelvic lift exercises in nine adult sport horses. Three repetitions of each exercise was performed for five seconds. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to record muscle electric activity, whilst sagittal lumbo-sacral flexion was measured with kinematics analysis. Overall, the results have shown that spinal flexion and lateral bending activate the m. rectus abdominis (RA) progressively as the exercise requires further reach, with a lateral bending effect evident on the ipsilateral side of RA. RA also had increased activation during thoracic lifts in comparison with pelvic lifts. M. longissimus dorsi (LD) has shown no significant differences in peak or average rectified EMG measures on the contralateral side during lateral bending. Pelvic lifts generated the greatest flexion of the lumbo-sacral (LS) joint. Results provide a guideline of the level of muscle effort required in relation to each exercise.</p