Effect on kinematic gait variables of two methods of inertial measurement unit sensor attachment to the extremities of horses under controlled conditions of treadmill exercise in sound horses at the walk and trot: A pilot study

Effekt zweier Methoden der kinematischen Ganguntersuchung mittels an den Extremitätren von Pferden befestigten Trägheitssenosorenunter kontrollierten Bedingungen in Schritt und Trab auf dem Laufband – Eine Pilotstudie

Seghers T, Maninchedda U E, Vidondo B, Ramseyer A, Cruz A M

DOI: 10.21836/PEM20180403
Year: 2018
Volume: 34
Issue: 4
Pages: 333-340

The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of two different methods (straps vs. glued-on) of attaching extremity mounted inertial measurement units (IMUs) to the distal tibia and radius for the evaluation of kinematic variables under controlled conditions of treadmill exercise at the walk and trot. This was performed as a cross over design where three orthopedically sound horses entered two groups: straps and glued-on. Horses were instrumented with eight IMUs at distal radii, tibias and third metacarpal and metatarsal regions. Data were collected three consecutive times during walk and trot on a treadmill at three different times during a time interval of 1 hour. Specifically designed software was used to process the accelerometer and gyroscope signals to obtain spatial and temporal data that described selected kinematic variables predetermined by the system. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used to assess the differences between groups. The results showed the use of straps producing a statistically significant reduction of sagittal range of motion (ROM) on the attached joints and bone segments, namely tarsi, carpi, crus and antebrachium. To conclude the observed reduction of joint’s sagittal ROM while variable (0.8 to 12 degrees) should be taken into account when using this system for the evaluation of gait quality profile.