Associations between Racing Thoroughbred Movement Asymmetries and Racing and Training Direction
Background: Racehorses commonly train and race in one direction, which may result in gait asymmetries. This study quantified gait symmetry in two cohorts of Thoroughbreds differing in their predominant exercising direction; we hypothesized that there would be significant differences in the direction...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-04-01
|
| Series: | Animals |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/7/1086 |
| _version_ | 1797212964057513984 |
|---|---|
| author | Bronte Forbes Winnie Ho Rebecca S. V. Parkes Maria Fernanda Sepulveda Caviedes Thilo Pfau Daniel R. Martel |
| author_facet | Bronte Forbes Winnie Ho Rebecca S. V. Parkes Maria Fernanda Sepulveda Caviedes Thilo Pfau Daniel R. Martel |
| author_sort | Bronte Forbes |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Racehorses commonly train and race in one direction, which may result in gait asymmetries. This study quantified gait symmetry in two cohorts of Thoroughbreds differing in their predominant exercising direction; we hypothesized that there would be significant differences in the direction of asymmetry between cohorts. Methods: 307 Thoroughbreds (156 from Singapore Turf Club (STC)—anticlockwise; 151 from Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC)—clockwise) were assessed during a straight-line, in-hand trot on firm ground with inertial sensors on their head and pelvis quantifying differences between the minima, maxima, upward movement amplitudes (MinDiff, MaxDiff, UpDiff), and hip hike (HHD). The presence of asymmetry (≥5 mm) was assessed for each variable. Chi-Squared tests identified differences in the number of horses with left/right-sided movement asymmetry between cohorts and mixed model analyses evaluated differences in the movement symmetry values. Results: HKJC had significantly more left forelimb asymmetrical horses (Head: MinDiff <i>p</i> < 0.0001, MaxDiff <i>p</i> < 0.03, UpDiff <i>p</i> < 0.01) than STC. Pelvis MinDiff (<i>p</i> = 0.010) and UpDiff (<i>p</i> = 0.021), and head MinDiff (<i>p</i> = 0.006) and UpDiff (<i>p</i> = 0.017) values were significantly different between cohorts; HKJC mean values indicated left fore- and hindlimb asymmetry, and STC mean values indicated right fore- and hindlimb asymmetry. Conclusion: the asymmetry differences between cohorts suggest that horses may adapt their gait to their racing direction, with kinematics reflecting reduced ‘outside’ fore- and hindlimb loading. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T10:50:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2c60c8067d8f4d45b0358d9389efee6e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T10:50:44Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-2c60c8067d8f4d45b0358d9389efee6e2024-04-12T13:14:20ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-04-01147108610.3390/ani14071086Associations between Racing Thoroughbred Movement Asymmetries and Racing and Training DirectionBronte Forbes0Winnie Ho1Rebecca S. V. Parkes2Maria Fernanda Sepulveda Caviedes3Thilo Pfau4Daniel R. Martel5Hong Kong Jockey Club, Hong Kong, ChinaHong Kong Jockey Club, Hong Kong, ChinaDepartment of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, ChinaDepartment of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London NW1 0TU, UKFaculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaFaculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaBackground: Racehorses commonly train and race in one direction, which may result in gait asymmetries. This study quantified gait symmetry in two cohorts of Thoroughbreds differing in their predominant exercising direction; we hypothesized that there would be significant differences in the direction of asymmetry between cohorts. Methods: 307 Thoroughbreds (156 from Singapore Turf Club (STC)—anticlockwise; 151 from Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC)—clockwise) were assessed during a straight-line, in-hand trot on firm ground with inertial sensors on their head and pelvis quantifying differences between the minima, maxima, upward movement amplitudes (MinDiff, MaxDiff, UpDiff), and hip hike (HHD). The presence of asymmetry (≥5 mm) was assessed for each variable. Chi-Squared tests identified differences in the number of horses with left/right-sided movement asymmetry between cohorts and mixed model analyses evaluated differences in the movement symmetry values. Results: HKJC had significantly more left forelimb asymmetrical horses (Head: MinDiff <i>p</i> < 0.0001, MaxDiff <i>p</i> < 0.03, UpDiff <i>p</i> < 0.01) than STC. Pelvis MinDiff (<i>p</i> = 0.010) and UpDiff (<i>p</i> = 0.021), and head MinDiff (<i>p</i> = 0.006) and UpDiff (<i>p</i> = 0.017) values were significantly different between cohorts; HKJC mean values indicated left fore- and hindlimb asymmetry, and STC mean values indicated right fore- and hindlimb asymmetry. Conclusion: the asymmetry differences between cohorts suggest that horses may adapt their gait to their racing direction, with kinematics reflecting reduced ‘outside’ fore- and hindlimb loading.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/7/1086movement symmetryThoroughbredkinematicsstride segmentationinertial sensorsgait |
| spellingShingle | Bronte Forbes Winnie Ho Rebecca S. V. Parkes Maria Fernanda Sepulveda Caviedes Thilo Pfau Daniel R. Martel Associations between Racing Thoroughbred Movement Asymmetries and Racing and Training Direction Animals movement symmetry Thoroughbred kinematics stride segmentation inertial sensors gait |
| title | Associations between Racing Thoroughbred Movement Asymmetries and Racing and Training Direction |
| title_full | Associations between Racing Thoroughbred Movement Asymmetries and Racing and Training Direction |
| title_fullStr | Associations between Racing Thoroughbred Movement Asymmetries and Racing and Training Direction |
| title_full_unstemmed | Associations between Racing Thoroughbred Movement Asymmetries and Racing and Training Direction |
| title_short | Associations between Racing Thoroughbred Movement Asymmetries and Racing and Training Direction |
| title_sort | associations between racing thoroughbred movement asymmetries and racing and training direction |
| topic | movement symmetry Thoroughbred kinematics stride segmentation inertial sensors gait |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/7/1086 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT bronteforbes associationsbetweenracingthoroughbredmovementasymmetriesandracingandtrainingdirection AT winnieho associationsbetweenracingthoroughbredmovementasymmetriesandracingandtrainingdirection AT rebeccasvparkes associationsbetweenracingthoroughbredmovementasymmetriesandracingandtrainingdirection AT mariafernandasepulvedacaviedes associationsbetweenracingthoroughbredmovementasymmetriesandracingandtrainingdirection AT thilopfau associationsbetweenracingthoroughbredmovementasymmetriesandracingandtrainingdirection AT danielrmartel associationsbetweenracingthoroughbredmovementasymmetriesandracingandtrainingdirection |