Abstract
Physical activities frequency and intensity performed by equine, athletes or workers, have been growing significantly enabling appearance of musculoskeletal disorders. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of a functional training program to measure short-, medium- and long-term response on epaxial musculature development, as well in linear kinematics of patrol horses. Eight 14±3.5 years-old horses, weighing 418±50 kg, were evaluated over a 90 days period to divided in short (30 days), medium (60 days) and long (90 days) responses. All horses were submitted to the same FTP consisting of passive stretching exercises, dynamic mobilization, reflexive mobilization and dynamic imbalance. The monitored traits were the Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle thickness; the Musculus multifidus (MM) total cross-sectional muscle area; linear kinematic analysis through the stride length at walk (LSW) and trot (LST). The thickness of the right and left side-LD showed increase at 90-day of the training period. The MM total cross-sectional area increased progressively after 30 days on both sides of the body, and at end of the 90-day evaluation. LSW and LST increased after 60 days of training. It is concluded for short-term; exercises promoted the hypertrophy of Musculus multifidus; for medium-term, increased the stride length and, and for long-term, hypertrophy of the Longissimus dorsi was observed.
Highlights
Since the origin of animal domestication, horses have been increasingly required to perform many different types like sports and work (Cabral et al, 2020)
Physical activities frequency and intensity performed by these animals has grown significantly, allowing the musculoskeletal disorders (Aleman, 2008; Ropka-Molik et al, 2017). Those affecting the thoracolumbar region should be observed carefully, as they are largely considered responsible for athletic performance reduction in horses, and as major lameness source (Mayaki et al, 2019)
Longissimus dorsi (LD) is a superficial mobilizing muscle located above dorsal and lumbar vertebrae transverse processes, promoting intervertebral joints mobilization (Clayton, 2016), spine stabilization and projection holding up the head and neck movements (Ritruechai et al, 2008), transmitting the energy generated by the back to the front legs (Stubbs and Clayton 2008) and supporting the rider weight during work (Douglas et al, 2012)
Summary
Since the origin of animal domestication, horses have been increasingly required to perform many different types like sports and work (Cabral et al, 2020). Physical activities frequency and intensity performed by these animals has grown significantly, allowing the musculoskeletal disorders (Aleman, 2008; Ropka-Molik et al, 2017) Among these disorders, those affecting the thoracolumbar region should be observed carefully, as they are largely considered responsible for athletic performance reduction in horses, and as major lameness source (Mayaki et al, 2019). Those affecting the thoracolumbar region should be observed carefully, as they are largely considered responsible for athletic performance reduction in horses, and as major lameness source (Mayaki et al, 2019) In these cases, animals manifest decrease in spine flexibility, in motion range and in pulling force (Wennerstrand et al, 2004), as well some behavioral changes resulting, possibly, as effect of local pain and discomfort (Mayaki et al, 2019). LD is a superficial mobilizing muscle located above dorsal and lumbar vertebrae transverse processes, promoting intervertebral joints mobilization (Clayton, 2016), spine stabilization and projection holding up the head and neck movements (Ritruechai et al, 2008), transmitting the energy generated by the back to the front legs (Stubbs and Clayton 2008) and supporting the rider weight during work (Douglas et al, 2012)
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