Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
Original ResearchApplication of a Full Body Inertial Measurement System in Dressage Riding
Introduction
A good performance in dressage riding is mainly based on a correct rider sitting position. In BC 365, Xenophon already dealt with the question how the rider should move on a horse. Xenophon describes an upright sitting position and emphasizes the importance of a well-balanced and elastic seat of the rider [1]. These rules are still acknowledged across all equestrian disciplines down to the present day.
In the guidelines of the German National Equestrian Federation (2012), the dressage seat is defined as balanced, elastic, and upright. The requirements of a good posture are described as a vertical line between the rider's shoulder-hip-heel and a central position of the rider [2], [3]. However, these theoretical considerations are difficult to grasp for researchers and horsemen [4]. It would be an improvement if more objective criteria could be developed. Biomechanical measurements could be beneficial in this matter.
At present, three-dimensional (3D) optical motion capture in gait laboratories (treadmill) is the gold standard method to quantify and analyze the rider's [5], [6] and horse's movements [7], [8], [9]. Recent treadmill studies of Byström et al [5], [6] and Peinen et al [10] present a comprehensive kinematic description of the rider's upper body, the saddle, and the horse trunk in walk and sitting trot (ST). However, there are differences between the locomotion of a horse on a treadmill and overground locomotion [11], [12], [13], [14], [15]. In several studies, the posture, joint angles, and kinematics of riders were investigated with camera-based measurements [16], [17], [18], [19]. However, video-based measurement techniques show a number of disadvantages with respect to the application in horseback riding: a limited field of view, limitations concerning the acceleration measurements, and the expenditure of time and cost [20], [21], [22], [23].
The steady development of microelectromechanical systems and inertial measurement units (IMUs) results in decreasing costs, enhanced performance, and portability [24].
The application of full-body inertial measurement systems in human movement research is becoming increasingly practicable. There are a few studies in the usage of such systems in alpine sports [25], [26], [27], [28], clinical gait analysis [29], [30], [31], human movement research [32], [33], and other sport sciences [34], [35].
This new age of data capturing allows performance analyzes in horseback riding outside gait laboratories with a big sample size and high accuracy [22]. In recent years, there is a great interest in veterinary studies to collect the equine movement with IMUs [9], [36], [37], [38]. The investigations of Münz et al [39], [40] are one of the first who describe an inertial sensor-based method attached on rider's pelvis and horse's trunk. They found that the IMUs are suitable to collect the kinematics of human pelvis in the different equine gaits. Distinctions between the horse–rider interaction of professional riders and beginners have also been demonstrated with these methods. Wolframm et al [41] found characteristics of motor coordination between horse and rider in walk, trot, and canter based on two single triaxial wireless accelerometers. Investigations regarding the acceleration of head movement and muscular activity also point out differences depending on the gait and performance levels [42]. However, there are no publications available considering the rider's whole-body movement. It is hypothesized that a full-body kinematic analysis could contribute for a better understanding of the horse–rider interaction [20].
Hence, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the application and performance of a full-body inertial system in dressage riding and additionally to investigate the selected rider kinematics in ST.
Section snippets
Riders and Horses
Ten professional dressage riders (eight females and two males; mean age ± standard deviation, 23.4 ± 5.3 years) with a body mass index of 21.5 ± 2.5 kg/m2 and at least 17 years of experience participated in the study. All of them had worked as riding instructors at the German Federation Equestrian National (FN). The participants rode with their own dressage saddles and bits. The eight geldings and two mares (mean age ± SD: 7.9 ± 4.2 years; mean height ± SD at withers: 170 ± 3.5 cm) had been
Results
The mean velocity of ST was 4.4 ± 0.3 m/s2. Across 30 gait cycles, all analyzed CMCs ranged from moderate to very good (Table 1). The highest CMC value showed the acceleration of the rider's trunk. The smallest CMC was found for the Pitch of the rider's head. In general, the waveform similarity of Roll was greater than the Pitch values for rider's segments. Especially for the rider's pelvis, the intertrial repeatability was very good.
It was found that the ROM values of Roll are greater than the
Discussion
The application of a full-body inertial measurement system is capable of estimating the rider's segment kinematics with a CMC between moderate and very good waveform similarity. In particular, the CMC values for Roll of the rider's pelvis indicate a very good intertrial repeatability. Because of the fact that horseback riding is characterized by an active and elastic seat with a high part of individualism [47], no greater CMC values for high-level dressage riders could be found in contrast to
Conclusions
This study demonstrated the application of a full-body inertial measurement in horseback riding under field conditions. Previous studies under field conditions have a small sample size and limited in field of view. In treadmill studies, the rider's and horse's kinematics cannot be collected under realistic conditions. To the author's best knowledge to date, there is no research with a holistic approach in horseback riding.
We have shown that this setup is suitable to quantify specific kinematics
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank the Federal Institute of Sport Science (BISp) for the funding of this research.
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