Pelvic Movement Symmetry Research Articles

Effect of Programed Walking Exercise Using Bot Fit in Younger Adults

IntroductionPhysical inactivity and sedentary behavior both increase the risk of chronic disease and mortality. Regular participation in physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior play important roles in maintaining physical health and disease prevention.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of programed walking exercise using a wearable hip exoskeleton, Bot Fit on muscle strength, muscle effort, and the kinematics of the pelvis in younger adults.MethodsWe designed three parallel experimental conditions and randomly assigned participants to one of three groups: those assigned to exercise using an interval program of Bot Fit (interval group), those who used a power program of Bot Fit (power group), and a control group who exercised without Bot Fit. A total of 45 young adults participated in 18 exercise-intervention sessions over six weeks, and all participants were assessed at two time points: before and after the 18 exercise sessions. Each assessment evaluated muscle strength, muscle effort, and the kinematics of the pelvis during walking. In addition, the number of steps, distance, energy expenditure, and heart rate for 30 min during the exercise sessions were recorded.ResultsA significant increase in the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of the left biceps femoris (BF) was evident in the interval group, while significant changes in the MVC of the bilateral BF were seen in the power group after Bot Fit exercise. A significant decrease of muscle effort in the right BF in the interval group and right lumbar erector spinae and bilateral BF in the power group were also observed. In addition, the symmetry index of pelvic tilt significantly improved in the interval group, and greater exercise volume and intensity in both the interval and power groups compared with the control group were confirmed as measured by the number of steps, distance, energy expenditure, and heart rate.ConclusionsThe results of this study confirmed the beneficial effect of programed walking exercise using the Bot Fit on muscle strength of trunk and lower extremities, muscle effort, and pelvic movement symmetry in younger adults. Personalized exercise programs can be provided for younger adults using various resistance or assistance modes of robotic device with the Bot Fit.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05862077. Registered 22 March 2022, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/.

Changes in Head and Pelvic Movement Symmetry after Diagnostic Anaesthesia: Interactions between Subjective Judgement Categories and Commonly Applied Blocks.

Limited evidence is available relating gait changes to diagnostic anaesthesia. We investigated associations between specific movement patterns and diagnostic anaesthesia of different anatomical structures in a retrospective analysis. Referral-level lameness cases were included with the following criteria: presence of diagnostic anaesthesia of a forelimb and/or hind limb; subjective efficacy classified as "negative", "partially positive", or "positive"; quantitative gait data available from inertial measurement units. Gait changes were calculated for three forelimb (palmar digital, abaxial sesamoid, low 4-point nerve block) and five hind limb diagnostic blocks (tarso-metatarsal, metatarsophalangeal joint block, deep branch of lateral plantar, low 6-point, abaxial sesamoid nerve block). Mixed models (random factor "case", fixed factors "diagnostic anaesthesia type" and "efficacy", two-way interaction) assessed the head and pelvic movement (p < 0.05, Bonferroni correction). Four parameters were significantly affected by forelimb anaesthesia (N = 265) (all p ≤ 0.031) and six by hind limb anaesthesia (N = 342) efficacy (all p ≤ 0.001). All head movement parameters and pelvic push-off asymmetry were significantly affected by the two-way interaction after forelimb anaesthesia (all p ≤ 0.023) and two pelvic movement symmetry parameters by the two-way interaction after hind limb anaesthesia (all p ≤ 0.020). There are interactions between block efficacy and type resulting in changes in weight-bearing and push-off-associated head and pelvic movement symmetry after diagnostic anaesthesia.

Comparing Inertial Measurement Units to Markerless Video Analysis for Movement Symmetry in Quarter Horses.

With an increasing number of systems for quantifying lameness-related movement asymmetry, between-system comparisons under non-laboratory conditions are important for multi-centre or referral-level studies. This study compares an artificial intelligence video app to a validated inertial measurement unit (IMU) gait analysis system in a specific group of horses. Twenty-two reining Quarter horses were equipped with nine body-mounted IMUs while being videoed with a smartphone app. Both systems quantified head and pelvic movement symmetry during in-hand trot (hard/soft ground) and on the lunge (left/right rein, soft ground). Proportional limits of agreement (pLoA) were established. Widths of pLoA were larger for head movement (29% to 50% in-hand; 22% to 38% on lunge) than for pelvic movement (13% to 24% in-hand; 14% to 24% on lunge). The between-system pLoAs exceed current "lameness thresholds" aimed at identifying the affected limb(s) in lame horses. They also exceed published limits of agreement for stride-matched data but are similar to repeatability values and "lameness thresholds" from "non-lame" horses. This is encouraging for multi-centre studies and referral-level veterinary practice. The narrower pLoA values for pelvic movement asymmetry are particularly encouraging, given the difficulty of grading hind limb lameness "by eye".

The correlation between the pelvic movement symmetry during motion, as well as body mass and the alignment of the knees of schoolchildren

Introduction: Body posture, including the alignment of the knees, as well as being overweight or obese, has a measurable influence on the way one moves. Most of the somatic and motor dysfunctions, which are often a problem for adults, originated in their childhood. Ailments regarding motor functions among adults are often a consequence of a previously overlooked or untreated dysfunction. Children and teenagers are a large group of patients suffering from dysfunctions of such type. The goal of this research was to assess the degree of influence being overweight or obese and having valgus knees has over children’s pelvic movement symmetry during motion. Materials and methods: 192 primary school students, aged 11-13, from Tarnow and its surrounding areas took part in the study. The alignment of their lower limbs was realised through measuring the distances between their medial malleoli, while standing up, with legs joined at knees. The pelvic movement symmetry while walking was tested with the BTS G-Walk device. Results: Boys have been diagnosed with having excessive body weight and valgus knees alignment more often than girls. A crucial correlation between being overweight or obese and having valgus knees was noted. A notable difference in the pelvic movement symmetry during motion between overweight or obese children and those with correct body weight, as well as between children with valgus and correct knees alignment has been determined. Studying the correlation coefficient has shown that BMI is more relevant than knee alignment to the problem in question. Conclusion: Gait re-education should be a part of kinesitherapy both for the children with valgus knees and those with excessive body weight.

Influence of seating styles on head and pelvic vertical movement symmetry in horses ridden at trot.

Detailed knowledge of how a rider’s seating style and riding on a circle influences the movement symmetry of the horse’s head and pelvis may aid rider and trainer in an early recognition of low grade lameness. Such knowledge is also important during both subjective and objective lameness evaluations in the ridden horse in a clinical setting. In this study, inertial sensors were used to assess how different rider seating styles may influence head and pelvic movement symmetry in horses trotting in a straight line and on the circle in both directions. A total of 26 horses were subjected to 15 different conditions at trot: three unridden conditions and 12 ridden conditions where the rider performed three different seating styles (rising trot, sitting trot and two point seat). Rising trot induced systematic changes in movement symmetry of the horses. The most prominent effect was decreased pelvic rise that occurred as the rider was actively rising up in the stirrups, thus creating a downward momentum counteracting the horses push off. This mimics a push off lameness in the hindlimb that is in stance when the rider sits down in the saddle during the rising trot. On the circle, the asymmetries induced by rising trot on the correct diagonal counteracted the circle induced asymmetries, rendering the horse more symmetrical. This finding offers an explanation to the equestrian tradition of rising on the ‘correct diagonal.’ In horses with small pre-existing movement asymmetries, the asymmetry induced by rising trot, as well as the circular track, attenuated or reduced the horse’s baseline asymmetry, depending on the sitting diagonal and direction on the circle. A push off hindlimb lameness would be expected to increase when the rider sits during the lame hindlimb stance whereas an impact hindlimb lameness would be expected to decrease. These findings suggest that the rising trot may be useful for identifying the type of lameness during subjective lameness assessment of hindlimb lameness. This theory needs to be studied further in clinically lame horses.

Vertical head and pelvic movement symmetry at the trot in dogs with induced supporting limb lameness

Compensatory limb loading has been studied in lame dogs; however, little is known about how these compensations relate to motion of the head and pelvis, assessment of which is an important component of lameness examinations. The aim of this study was to describe the patterns of vertical head and pelvic motion symmetry at the trot in dogs with induced supporting limb lameness in the forelimbs or hind limbs. Ten sound dogs were trotted on a treadmill before and after temporary induction of moderate lameness (grade 2/5) in each limb. Reflective markers were located on the head, pelvis and right forelimb, and kinematic data were captured with a motion capture system. Upper body symmetry parameters were calculated, including differences in the highest (HDmax) and in the lowest (HDmin) positions of the head, and in the highest (PDmax) and in the lowest (PDmin) positions of the mid-pelvis, with a value of zero indicating symmetry. The head was lowered more during the sound limb stance phase and lowered less during the lame limb stance phase in supporting forelimb lameness (HDmin: 4.6mm in dogs when sound, −18.3mm when left limb lameness was induced and 20.5mm when right limb lameness was induced). The mid-pelvis was lowered more during the sound limb stance phase and lowered and lifted less during the lame limb stance phase in supporting hind limb lameness (PDmin: 1mm in dogs when sound, −10.1mm in left limb lameness and 8.4mm in right limb lameness). The hip of the lame side, measured at the level of the greater trochanter, had an increased downwards displacement during the lame limb swing phase (−21mm in left hind limb lameness, P=0.005; 23.4mm in right hind limb lameness, P=0.007). Asymmetry in the lowering of the head or mid-pelvis is a more sensitive indicator of supporting forelimb and hind limb lameness, respectively, than asymmetry in the raising of the head. Increased displacement of the hip (‘hip drop’ of the lame side during its swing phase) is a good indicator of hind limb lameness in dogs.

Head, withers and pelvic movement asymmetry and their relative timing in trot in racing Thoroughbreds in training.

SummaryBackgroundHorses show compensatory head movement in hindlimb lameness and compensatory pelvis movement in forelimb lameness but little is known about the relationship of withers movement symmetry with head and pelvic asymmetry in horses with naturally occurring gait asymmetries.ObjectivesTo document head, withers and pelvic movement asymmetry and timing differences in horses with naturally occurring gait asymmetries.Study designRetrospective analysis of gait data.MethodsHead, withers and pelvic movement asymmetry and timing of displacement minima and maxima were quantified from inertial sensors in 163 Thoroughbreds during trot‐ups on hard ground. Horses were divided into 4 subgroups using the direction of head and withers movement asymmetry. Scatter plots of head vs. pelvic movement asymmetry illustrated how the head–withers relationship distinguishes between contralateral and ipsilateral head–pelvic movement asymmetry. Independent t test or Mann–Whitney U test (P<0.05) compared pelvic movement asymmetry and timing differences between groups.ResultsThe relationship between head and withers asymmetry (i.e. same sided or opposite sided asymmetry) predicts the relationship between head and pelvic asymmetry in 69–77% of horses. Pelvic movement symmetry was significantly different between horses with same sign vs. opposite sign of head–withers asymmetry (P<0.0001). Timing of the maximum head height reached after contralateral (‘sound’) stance was delayed compared to withers (P = 0.02) and pelvis (P = 0.04) in horses with contralateral head–withers asymmetry.Main limitationsThe clinical lameness status of the horses was not investigated.ConclusionIn the Thoroughbreds with natural gait asymmetries investigated here, the direction of head vs. withers movement asymmetry identifies the majority of horses with ipsilateral and contralateral head and pelvic movement asymmetries. Withers movement should be further investigated for differentiating between forelimb and hindlimb lame horses. Horses with opposite sided head and withers asymmetry significantly delay the upward movement of the head after ‘sound’ forelimb stance.

Alterations in thoracolumbosacral movement when pain causing lameness has been improved by diagnostic analgesia

Lameness, thoracolumbosacral pain and reduced range of motion (ROM) often coexist; better understanding of their relationship is needed. The objectives were to determine if thoracolumbosacral movement of horses changes when pain causing lameness is improved by diagnostic analgesia. We hypothesised that reduction of lameness will increase ROM of the thoracolumbosacral region. Thirteen horses with different types of hind limb lameness were trotted in straight lines and lunged on a 10m diameter circle on left and right reins before and after lameness was subjectively substantially improved by diagnostic analgesia. Inertial sensor data were collected from the withers, thirteenth (T13) and eighteenth thoracic (T18) vertebrae, third lumbar (L3) vertebra, tubera sacrale (TS), left and right tubera coxae. ROM of flexion-extension, axial rotation, lateral bending, dorsoventral, lateral-lateral motion and vertical movement symmetry were quantified at each thoracolumbar site. Hiphike difference (HHD), maximum difference (MaxDiff) and minimum difference (MinDiff) for the pelvic sensors were measured. Percentage changes for before and after diagnostic analgesia were calculated; mean±standard deviation (SD) or median [interquartile range] were determined.Associations between the change in pelvic versus thoracolumbar movement symmetry after each local analgesic technique were tested. After resolution of lameness, HHD decreased by 7% [68%] (P=0.006). The MinDiff decreased significantly by 33% [61%] (P=0.01), 45±13% (P=0.005) and 52±23% (P=0.04), for TS, L3 and T18, respectively. There was significantly increased ROM in flexion-extension at T13, in axial rotation at T13, T18, L3 and in lateral-lateral ROM at L3. Thoracolumbosacral asymmetry and reduced ROM associated with lameness were both altered immediately by improvement in lameness using diagnostic analgesia.

Head and pelvic movement asymmetries at trot in riding horses in training and perceived as free from lameness by the owner.

Recent studies evaluating horses in training and considered free from lameness by their owners have identified a large proportion of horses with motion asymmetries. However the prevalence, type and magnitude of asymmetries when trotting in a straight line or on the lunge have not been investigated. The aim of this study was to objectively investigate the presence of motion asymmetries in riding horses in training by identifying the side and quantifying the degree and type (impact, pushoff) of forelimb and hind limb asymmetries found during straight line trot and on the lunge. In a cross-sectional study, vertical head and pelvic movement symmetry was measured in 222 Warmblood type riding horses, all without perceived performance issues and considered free from lameness by their owners. Body-mounted uni-axial accelerometers were used and differences between maximum and minimum head (HDmax, HDmin) and pelvic (PDmax, PDmin) vertical displacement between left and right forelimb and hind limb stances were calculated during straight line trot and on the lunge. Previously reported symmetry thresholds were used. The thresholds for symmetry were exceeded in 161 horses for at least one variable while trotting in a straight line, HDmin (n = 58, mean 14.3 mm, SD 7.1), HDmax (n = 41, mean 12.7 mm, SD 5.5), PDmax (n = 87, mean 6.5 mm, SD 3.10), PDmin (n = 79, mean 5.7 mm, SD 2.1). Contralateral and ipsilateral concurrent forelimb and hind limb asymmetries were detected in 41 and 49 horses, respectively. There was a linear association between the straight line PDmin values and the values on the lunge with the lame limb to the inside of the circle. A large proportion (72.5%) of horses in training which were perceived as free from lameness by their owner showed movement asymmetries above previously reported asymmetry thresholds during straight line trot. It is not known to what extent these asymmetries are related to pain or to mechanical abnormalities. Therefore, one of the most important questions that must be addressed is how objective asymmetry scores can be translated into pain, orthopedic abnormality, or any type of unsoundness.

Inertial sensor-based system for lameness detection in trotting dogs with induced lameness

Lameness detection can be challenging in dogs, as reflected in the reported low inter-rater agreement when visually assessing lameness. The aim of this study was to use an inertial sensor-based system to detect and quantify induced distal and proximal limb disturbances mimicking supporting and swinging limb lameness in dogs trotting on a treadmill by measuring vertical head and pelvic movement symmetry. Ten clinically sound dogs were equipped with inertial measurement units that were attached to the head, pelvis and right distal forelimb. Vertical head and pelvic movement symmetry were measured while dogs trotted on a treadmill, before and after the induction of moderate support or swinging fore- and hindlimb lameness. Four symmetry variables were calculated: the differences in displacement between the two lowest and between the two highest values of the head and pelvis per stride, respectively. These variables were defined as minimum head difference (HDmin), maximum head difference (HDmax), minimum pelvic difference (PDmin) and maximum pelvic difference (PDmax). Induction of supporting forelimb and hindlimb lameness produced significant changes in HDmin and PDmin, respectively. Swinging forelimb and hindlimb lameness produced significant changes in HDmax and PDmax, respectively. Additional compensatory ipsilateral forelimb and contralateral hindlimb movements were detected. Based on our findings, inertial sensor-based systems can be used to detect and quantify induced moderate lameness and differentiate between supporting and swinging limb lameness in dogs trotting on a treadmill. Further studies are needed to evaluate this method in dogs presented for clinical lameness evaluation and in overground locomotion.

Changes in movement symmetry over the stages of the shoeing process in military working horses

Military working horses perform a high proportion of work on road surfaces and are shod frequently to deal with high attrition rates. The authors investigate the influence of shoeing on...

Head and Pelvic Movement Asymmetries at Trot in Riding Horses Perceived as Sound by Their Owner

Reasons for performing studyRecent studies evaluating owner sound horses have identified a large proportion of horses with motion asymmetries but the prevalence, type and magnitude of asymmetries have not been investigated. The increasing use of objective lameness evaluation necessitates a further characterisation of the differences between lameness and motion asymmetries.ObjectivesTo investigate prevalence, and quantify type and magnitude of motion asymmetries during straight‐line trot in riding horses, perceived sound by their owners.Study designCross‐sectional prospective study.MethodsVertical head and pelvic movement symmetry was measured in 220 Warmblood riding horses, all functioning in daily work and considered sound by their owners; 100 of these individuals had been included in a previous report [1]. Body‐mounted uni‐axial accelerometers were used and differences between maximum and minimum head (HDmax, HDmin) and pelvic (PDmax, PDmin) vertical displacement between left and right forelimb and hindlimb stances were calculated during straight‐line trot. Previously used symmetry thresholds (absolute differences &gt;6 mm for the head and &gt;3 mm for the pelvic variables) were used.ResultsThe thresholds for symmetry were exceeded for 159 horses (72%) for at least one variable, HDmax (n = 41, mean 12.7 mm, s.d. 5.5), HDmin (n = 58, mean 14.3 mm, s.d. 7.1), PDmax (n = 87, mean 6.5 mm, s.d. 3.10), PDmin (n = 77, mean 5.7 mm, s.d. 2.1). Contralateral and ipsilateral concurrent fore‐ and hindlimb asymmetries were detected in 41 and 49 horses, respectively.ConclusionsA surprisingly large proportion (72%) of horses perceived as sound by their owner showed movement asymmetries during straight‐line trot. It is not known to what extent these asymmetries are related to pain or mechanical abnormalities as opposed to ‘normal variation’ and this leads to 2 potential welfare problems – either too many horses in training are actually ‘lame’ or many horses categorised as ‘lame’ have no locomotor system disease.Ethical animal research: This study was conducted within guidelines of the participating sites institutional animal care and use procedures (C 206/10, C48/13) and informed consent for data collection was obtained from the horse owners prior to the study. Source of funding: None. Competing interests: None declared.

Agreement between two inertial sensor gait analysis systems for lameness examinations in horses

SummaryGait analysis is gaining popularity for quantification of lameness and 2 commonly used inertial sensor systems assess trunk movement symmetry: can these be used interchangeably in multi‐centre studies? We compared head and pelvic movement symmetry between 2 inertial sensor gait analysis systems in 13 horses equipped simultaneously with the 2 systems. The first system quantified dorsoventral movement in the local reference frame (System A) and the second system global vertical movement (System B). Widths of limits of agreement were calculated employing a well established regression method dealing with systematically changing differences over the range of measured values. Widths of limits of agreement between Systems A and B were narrower for pelvic movement than head movement. For head movement, they ranged from 6.4 to 6.9 mm for in‐hand trot and from 7.3 to 9.7 mm on the lunge and for pelvic movement from 2.5 to 4.4 mm in‐hand and from 3.6 to 5.3 mm on the lunge. Widths of limits of agreement between the 2 investigated inertial sensor gait analysis systems are of comparable magnitude (some equivalent, some marginally higher) to the currently proposed thresholds of 6 mm for head and 3 mm for pelvic movement used in lameness investigations. Differences in measurements with 2 different systems (A and B) obtained from the same horse falling within the reported values should not be seen as a sign of a change in lameness.

Lungeing on hard and soft surfaces: Movement symmetry of trotting horses considered sound by their owners.

Lungeing is often part of the clinical lameness examination. The difference in movement symmetry, which is a commonly employed lameness measure, has not been quantified between surfaces. To compare head and pelvic movement symmetry between surfaces and reins during lungeing. Quantitative gait analysis in 23 horses considered sound by their owners. Twenty-three horses were assessed in-hand and on the lunge on both reins on hard and soft surfaces with inertial sensors. Seven movement symmetry parameters were quantified and used to establish 2 groups, namely symmetrical (n = 9) and forelimb-lame horses (n = 14), based on values from straight-line assessment. Movement symmetry values for left rein measurements were side corrected to allow comparison of the amount of movement symmetry between reins. A mixed model (P<0.05) was used to study effects on movement symmetry of surface (hard/soft) and rein (inside/outside with respect to movement symmetry on the straight). In forelimb-lame horses, surface and rein were identified as significantly affecting all head movement symmetry measures (rein, all P<0.0001; surface, all P<0.042). In the symmetrical group, no significant influence of surface or rein was identified for head movement symmetry (rein, all P>0.245; surface, all P>0.073). No significant influence of surface or rein was identified for any of the pelvic movement symmetry measures in either group. While more symmetrical horses showed a consistent amount of movement symmetry across surfaces/reins, horses objectively quantified as lame on the straight showed decreased movement symmetry during lungeing, in particular with the lame limb on the inside of a hard circle. The variation within group questions straight-line movement symmetry as a sole measure of lameness without quantification of movement symmetry on the lunge, ideally on hard and soft surfaces to evaluate differences between reins and surfaces. In future, thresholds for lungeing need to be determined using simultaneous visual and objective assessment.

The Effect of Hindlimb Studs on Movement Symmetry in Horses During Lungeing

Reasons for performing studyHorseshoe studs are commonly used to increase traction between the foot and the ground in competition horses. Here we investigate the question of how hindlimb studs alter limb function by quantifying upper body kinematics during circular motion (lungeing).ObjectivesThis study quantified the effects of studs placed in the hind shoes on head and pelvic movement symmetry parameters commonly used for objective assessment of lameness.Study designProspective longitudinal interventional study.Methods15 horses were trotted on the straight and lunged on left and right circles on turf with/without a pair of studs in both hind shoes. Movement symmetry was assessed using inertial sensors mounted on poll, os sacrum and left and right tuber coxae. To eliminate the influence of the number of left/right asymmetrical horses in the sample, symmetry values were standardised to show left fore and/or right hind asymmetry on the straight. Differences in standardised head and pelvic symmetry index (SI) with and without studs were calculated and paired t tests were used to compare SI values with and without studs on the straight and on both reins.ResultsUse of studs resulted in a significant difference (P = 0.02) in pelvic SI on the right lunge only but no difference for straight line and left lunge (both P&gt;0.05). No significant difference was found for head movement symmetry (all P&gt;0.05).ConclusionsPelvic movement was altered with the ‘weaker’ right hindlimb (based on the calculation of standardised SI values) on the inside of the circle creating an increased ‘hip hike’. In general, horses show increased limb angles and lower peak vertical force with the inside limb; our kinematic results show that this effect is exacerbated with studs. Future studies should investigate whether this ‘intervention’ is of diagnostic potential in sub‐clinically hindlimb lame horses.Acknowledgements: The authors would like to thank the owners and trainers whose horses were used in this study.Ethical animal research: The Royal Veterinary College Ethics and Welfare Committee approved this study and all procedures were performed with informed owner consent. Sources of funding: Funding was provided by The Royal Veterinary College for Harriet Sharp and Sophie Hopkins’ research projects. Competing interests: None.

Optimal Gait Parameters for Quantifying the Effect of Diagnostic Analgesia in Horses

IntroductionEvaluating responses of horses to diagnostic analgesia is subject to bias. Pelvic movement symmetry can be measured accurately with inertial sensors, but it is unclear which of the many symmetry measures best reflect changes. It was hypothesised that objective parameters mimicking commonly observed visual parameters used by veterinarians (difference between upward/downward sacral movement and between amplitudes of left and right tuber coxa motion) would show the largest, most consistent responses.Methods13 horses underwent visual lameness scoring and independent gait assessment with inertial sensors during clinical lameness investigations. Multiple movement symmetry parameters were calculated and changes before/after diagnostic analgesia regressed against change in lameness grade. Confidence intervals of slopes of regression lines were assessed to identify significant changes.ResultsAll parameters showed variation between horses and across lameness grades. Three measures documented a consistent increase in symmetry for each grade of change in lameness score: difference between sacral displacement minima, and upward movement difference and range of motion difference between the tubera coxae. A change in symmetry of 9–13% for each grade of increase in lameness can be expected.ConclusionsThe three most promising pelvic parameters for consistent quantification of changes due to diagnostic analgesia in the hindlimb of lame horses were identified. Difference in upward movement between left and right tuber coxae is the most sensitive but requires simultaneously focusing on pelvic and limb movements and may therefore be more difficult to assess visually. Showing a similar response to diagnostic analgesia, the difference in movement amplitude between left and right tuber coxae may be more easily perceived since it does not require simultaneous focus on limb movement.Ethical Animal ResearchThe study was approved by the local ethics committee. Explicit owner informed consent for participation in this study is not stated. Sources of funding: None declared. Competing interests: none.

Effect of Side of Handling on Movement Symmetry in Horses

IntroductionWhen horses are trotted in‐hand, this is predominantly performed with the handler on the horse's left side. In the context of objective gait analysis, this study investigated whether the side a horse is led from affects movement symmetry measures used to quantify lameness. We hypothesised that the side which horses were handled from would have no effect on head and pelvic movement symmetry.MethodsVertical movement of head and pelvis was quantified in 23 horses during trot in‐hand with a validated inertial sensor gait analysis system. Established movement symmetry measures commonly used to quantify lameness were calculated for a minimum of 27 strides per condition. Each horse was assessed three times, twice handled from one side, once from the other side, with the initial handling side randomly assigned. Differences in movement symmetry between repeat assessments led from the same side were compared to differences when led from the opposite side using a paired t‐test (P&lt;0.05)ResultsWhich side a horse was led from had no significant effect on either head (all P&gt;0.754) or pelvic (all P&gt;0.514) movement symmetry. Mean differences for head (and pelvic) movement asymmetry were below 2% or 2 mm (0% or 1 mm) for repeat assessments from the same side and below 4% or 2 mm (0% or 1 mm) for opposite side leads.ConclusionsThe side from which a horse is led does not significantly affect differences in movement symmetry between repeat assessments. Data analysis should be restricted to trials with consistent head carriage and a minimum of 27 strides (previously reported to give a representative estimate of stride‐to‐stride variability).Ethical Animal ResearchThe study was approved by the local ethics committee Sources of funding: none declared. Competing interests: none.

Identifying optimal parameters for quantification of changes in pelvic movement symmetry as a response to diagnostic analgesia in the hindlimbs of horses

Subjective evaluation of the response to diagnostic analgesia of hindlimb lameness is influenced by expectation bias. Quantification of pelvic movement with inertial measurement units is possible, but it is unclear which measure of movement symmetry best reflects the changes seen after diagnostic analgesia. To test our hypothesis that objective measures closely relating to those used for subjective visual lameness scoring (quantifying the difference between sacral upward or downward movement or between movement amplitudes of the left and right tubera coxae) would show the largest and most consistent response. Retrospective analysis of subjective and objective clinical lameness data. Thirteen horses with hindlimb lameness underwent visual lameness scoring and independent gait assessment with inertial measurement units. Established objective measures were calculated and changes before/after diagnostic analgesia regressed against the change in lameness grade. Slopes of regression lines were calculated and confidence intervals assessed. All objective parameters showed variation between horses and across lameness grades. The following 3 measures documented a consistent increase in symmetry for each grade of change in lameness score: difference between sacral displacement minima; upward movement difference; and range of motion difference between the tubera coxae. Several pelvic parameters are suitable for objective quantification of changes after diagnostic analgesia in hindlimb-lame horses. A change of 9-13% per lameness grade can be expected. Upward movement of the tubera coxae is the most sensitive objective measure for quantifying a response to diagnostic analgesia. However, when assessed visually, this measure requires simultaneous focusing on pelvic and limb movements. Other parameters that show a similar response might be more easily perceived, requiring only assessment of tubera coxae range of motion or downward displacement of the sacrum without simultaneous focus on limb movement.

Head and pelvic movement symmetry in horses during circular motion and in rising trot

Lameness examinations in horses often include lungeing and ridden exercise. To incorporate these exercises into the evidence-based decision making process aided by quantitative sensor based gait analysis, guideline values for movement asymmetry are needed. In this study, movement symmetry (MS) was quantified in horses during unridden and ridden trot on the straight and on the circle. Systematic changes in MS were expected as a result of the ‘asymmetrical loading’ caused by circular movement, the rising trot and the combination of the two. Out of 23 horses (age 4–20years, height 13.3–17.2 hands), 13 presented within normal limits for head movement and 22 for pelvic movement. Inertial measurement units assessed MS of vertical head and sacral movement during trot in-hand, on the lunge and in rising trot (straight, left/right circle). Changes in MS between straight line trot and ridden exercise on the circle were more pronounced for the head than for the sacrum. The highest amount of asymmetry was observed during rising trot on the circle (symmetry index of the head: 1.23 for the left rein, 0.83 for the right rein; symmetry index of the sacrum 0.84 for the left rein, 1.15 for the right rein). Change in MS was significant between exercise conditions except for the difference between head displacement maxima. Horses had greatest asymmetry during rising trot on the circle, with MS values of comparable magnitude to mild lameness.

Movement Symmetry Patterns During Lungeing in Trot on Hard and Soft Surface Differ Between Sound and Mildly Forelimb Lame Horses

AimsLungeing on hard and soft surfaces is crucial to clinical lameness and prepurchase examinations. Here we 1) quantify movement symmetry (MS) in sound horses trotting on hard and soft surfaces, and 2) compare MS patterns for different rein and surface combinations between sound and mildly forelimb lame horses.MethodsTwenty‐three riding horses were equipped with an inertial sensor based gait analysis system and assessed in‐hand on the straight and during lungeing (10 m diameter circle), both on hard and soft surfaces. Assessment of rein (left/right) was performed in a randomised order. Seven published MS parameters (3 poll, 4 pelvis) were quantified from an average of 38 strides per condition. Horses were subdivided into 3 groups: control (9 horses), left (5) and right (9) forelimb lame. Statistical analysis was performed using paired samples t test, ANOVA and post hoc comparisons.ResultsFor control horses, only one MS measure was significantly different between the surfaces; Symmetry Index (P = 0.0122, increased asymmetry on hard ground). When comparing left and right forelimb lame horses, increased head movement asymmetry was found with the affected limb on the inside of the circle on both surfaces (P values between P = 0.0006 and P = 0.0481); circle and lameness induced asymmetry adding up. No differences in pelvic MS were identified between sound and mildly forelimb lame horses.ConclusionsSound horses show similar amounts of movement asymmetry during lungeing on hard and soft surfaces. Mildly forelimb lame horses show characteristic patterns of increased asymmetry in particular with the affected limb on the inside of the circle.Practical significanceThe observed differences between sound and mildly forelimb lame horses will contribute to higher specificity in identification of mildly lame horses based on objective gait analysis. It is recommended to include lungeing into objective gait assessments.AcknowledgementsWe are grateful to the owners of the horses that participated.Ethical animal researchThis project was granted ethical approval by the RVC Ethics and Welfare Committee as part of Hazel Mitchell's and Charlotte Jennings' final year research project and conducted with owners' informed consent. Sources of funding: RVC. Competing interests: None.