Novel Information About The Kinetic Effects Of Equine Shoe Modifications And Kinematic Effects Of Human Digital Devices For Improved Performance In Both Species
Equine shoes are frequently modified to enhance traction for horses that travel on paved surfaces for work, pleasure, or entertainment. Little is known about other common shoe modifications used to enhance traction like calks, tungsten carbide granules, or plastic composition. This information is vital to shoe design to protect the safety and welfare of all service, working, and leisure horses. The objective of the first part of this thesis was to quantify the effect of shoes with and without traction adaptions on kinetic measures in non-lame, light breed horses at a trot. Kinetic data was collected with a force platform from horses while unshod (U) and subsequently shod in random order with five distinct shoes: standard (S), high profile-low surface area calk (HC), low profile-high surface area calk (LC), thin layer tungsten carbide (TLC), and plastic-steel composite (C). Results indicate that in the forelimbs, peak vertical force increased with C versus S (P=0.0001), HC (P=0.0049), LC (P= 0.0110), and TLC (P=0.0246) shoes. In the hind limbs, peak braking force increased with C versus S (PPPP=0.0041). It increased with TLC versus HC (PPP=0.0079) and S shoe (P=0.0474). The human wrist (radiocarpal joints) has complex anatomy and motion that likely contributes to overuse injuries. Digital device use requires distinct wrist motions that may contribute to tissue damage with frequent, prolonged use and static loading. The second part of the thesis aimed to quantify wrist motion in radial-ulnar deviation and flexion-extension planes for use of digital devices and their manual counterparts in dominant and non-dominant hands of male and female professionals. Twelve subjects completed 4 paired daily living activities using digital and manual devices. Left and right wrist 3D motion was recorded with eight markers of a wireless, active motion detection system. This study established baseline values for medial and lateral radiocarpal extension and radial-ulnar deviation angles and ROM using digital devices. Both sex, handedness, and device size influence wrist motion