Gómez Alvarez C B, Rhodin M, Byström A, Back W, van Weeren P R
Equine Division, Veterinary Medicine College, Católica de Temuco University, Chile.
Equine Vet J. 2009 Mar;41(3):297-300. doi: 10.2746/042516409x397370.
Treadmill locomotion is frequently used for training of sport horses, for diagnostic purposes and for research. Identification of the possible biomechanical differences and similarities between the back movement during treadmill (T) and over ground (O) locomotion is essential for the correct interpretation of research results.
To compare the kinematics of the thoracolumbar vertebral column in treadmill and over ground locomotion in healthy horses.
Six sound Dutch Warmblood horses trotted on a T and O during 10 s at their own preferred velocity (mean +/- s.d. 3.6 +/- 0.3 m/s T and 3.6 +/- 0.1 m/s O), which was the same in both conditions. Kinematics of the vertebral column was captured by infrared cameras using reflective skin markers attached over the spinous processes of selected vertebrae and other locations. Flexion-extension and lateral bending range of motion (ROM), angular motion pattern (AMP) and intravertebral pattern symmetry (IVPS) of 5 vertebral angles (T6-T10-T13, T10-T13-T17, T13-T17-L1, T17-L1-L3 and L1-L3-15) were calculated. Neck angle, linear and temporal stride parameters and protraction-retraction angles of the limbs were also calculated.
The vertical ROM (flexion-extension) was similar in both conditions, but the horizontal ROM (lateral bending) of the lumbar angles T17-L1-L3 and L1-L3-L5 was less during T locomotion (mean +/- s.d. difference of 1.8 +/- 0.6 and 1.7 +/- 0.9 degrees, respectively, P > 0.05). During O locomotion, the symmetry pattern of the lumbar vertebral angles was diminished from 0.9 to 0.7 (1 = 100% symmetry) indicating increased irregularity of the movement (P > 0.05). No differences were found in the basic linear and temporal stride parameters and neck angle.
Vertebral kinematics during treadmill locomotion is not identical to over ground locomotion, but the differences are minor. During treadmill locomotion lumbar motion is less, and caution should be therefore taken when interpreting lumbar kinematics.
跑步机运动常用于运动马匹的训练、诊断目的及研究。识别跑步机（T）运动和地面（O）运动过程中背部运动可能存在的生物力学差异与相似之处，对于正确解读研究结果至关重要。
比较健康马匹在跑步机运动和地面运动时胸腰椎的运动学特征。
6匹健康的荷兰温血马以各自偏好的速度在跑步机和地面上小跑10秒（平均±标准差：跑步机运动为3.6±0.3米/秒，地面运动为3.6±0.1米/秒，两种条件下速度相同）。使用红外摄像机，通过附着在选定椎骨棘突及其他位置的反光皮肤标记来捕捉脊柱的运动学特征。计算5个椎骨角度（T6-T10-T13、T10-T13-T17、T13-T17-L1、T17-L1-L3和L1-L3-L5）的屈伸和侧屈运动范围（ROM）、角运动模式（AMP）及椎骨内模式对称性（IVPS）。还计算了颈部角度、线性和时间步幅参数以及四肢的前伸-后缩角度。
两种条件下垂直运动范围（屈伸）相似，但在跑步机运动时，腰椎角度T17-L1-L3和L1-L3-L5的水平运动范围（侧屈）较小（平均±标准差差异分别为1.8±0.6度和1.7±0.9度，P>0.05）。在地面运动时，腰椎角度的对称模式从0.9降至0.7（1表示100%对称），表明运动不规则性增加（P>0.05）。基本线性和时间步幅参数以及颈部角度未发现差异。
跑步机运动时的椎骨运动学特征与地面运动不完全相同，但差异较小。在跑步机运动时，腰部运动较少，因此在解读腰部运动学时应谨慎。
