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Associations between Racing Thoroughbred Movement Asymmetries and Racing and Training Direction.

Authors :
Forbes, Bronte
Ho, Winnie
Parkes, Rebecca S. V.
Sepulveda Caviedes, Maria Fernanda
Pfau, Thilo
Martel, Daniel R.
Source :
Animals (2076-2615). Apr2024, Vol. 14 Issue 7, p1086. 13p.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Simple Summary: Racehorses race and train in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction and may adapt how they move accordingly, potentially creating asymmetry of movement between their left and right sides. Wireless inertial sensors measured the vertical head and pelvic movement of 307 Thoroughbreds (156 from the anticlockwise exercising Singapore turf club, "STC", and 151 from the clockwise exercising Hong Kong Jockey Club, "HKJC") trotting in a straight line in-hand on a firm surface. Seven vertical movement symmetry variables comparing the vertical movement between the left- and right-side halves were extracted, and statistical analyses were conducted to compare the number of left and right asymmetrical horses between cohorts, for both the fore- and hindlimbs. Our results revealed that there were significantly more left forelimb asymmetrical horses in the HKJC cohort compared to the STC cohort. Additional analyses revealed significant differences between cohorts, with the HKJC horses on average showing higher levels of left fore- and hindlimb asymmetry and, for the STC horses, right fore- and hindlimb asymmetry. This suggests that horses may indeed adapt their movement to favor one side over the other based on the direction they typically train and race in. 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 p < 0.0001, MaxDiff p < 0.03, UpDiff p < 0.01) than STC. Pelvis MinDiff (p = 0.010) and UpDiff (p = 0.021), and head MinDiff (p = 0.006) and UpDiff (p = 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20762615
Volume :
14
Issue :
7
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Animals (2076-2615)
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
176597837
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14071086