Core strengthening and postural stability are desired outcomes of certain therapeutic exercises performed in horses. A recent study, conducted at the University of Tennessee, aimed to quantify changes in muscle activation at a walk and trot in horses traveling over eight consecutive ground poles evenly spaced in parallel fashion in a straight line, and with hindquarter and abdominal elastic resistance bands applied at 25 percent stretch.
Surface electromyography data were collected for the longissimus dorsi (muscles along each side of the spine) and rectus abdominus (muscles underneath the belly) in six horses.
The use of ground poles at a walk resulted in an increase in the longissimus dorsi and rectus abdominus muscles. The use of ground poles at a trot resulted in an increase in the rectus abdominus muscles. The hindquarter and abdominal elastic resistance bands resulted in an increase in the left rectus abdominus muscle.
These findings provide support regarding changes in muscle activation when using ground poles to increase core and epaxial muscle engagement. While an effect on core muscle activation was identified with the elastic resistance bands at a trot, further research is needed to further characterize their effects on muscle activation.
For more information on this research, view the abstract in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.
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The post Research Update: The Effect Of Ground Poles And Elastic Resistance Bands On Equine Muscle Activity appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
