Electromyography of the Multifidus Muscle in Horses Trotting During Therapeutic Exercises.
Authors: Ursini Tena, Shaw Karen, Levine David, Richards Jim, Adair Henry Steve
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Thoracolumbar pain is a significant concern in equine practice, and rehabilitation programmes commonly employ ground poles and specialised training devices with the intention of strengthening core stability and the deep stabilising muscles of the spine. Researchers used surface electromyography to quantify multifidus muscle activity across multiple spinal regions in horses during trotting under four conditions: unloaded trotting, trotting over ground poles, trotting in a resistance band training device, and the device combined with poles. Ground poles proved effective, producing significant increases in both average muscle work and peak activation in the cranial thoracic regions and significantly elevated peak activation throughout the lumbar spine—suggesting genuine engagement of the stabilising musculature. Surprisingly, the resistance band device alone and in combination with poles actually *reduced* multifidus activity in most regions compared to unloaded or pole-only conditions, raising concerns about its efficacy for core conditioning. For practitioners designing rehabilitation and conditioning programmes, this finding emphasises that ground pole work represents a validated approach to enhance multifidus recruitment, whilst the resistance device warrants further investigation before confidently incorporating it into therapeutic protocols.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Ground poles are an evidence-supported, effective tool for activating and strengthening the multifidus muscle during therapeutic work—incorporate them into rehabilitation programs for horses with thoracolumbar issues
- •The resistance band training device may actually inhibit rather than enhance core muscle engagement; use caution or avoid this device until further research clarifies its mechanisms
- •When designing conditioning programs for core stability, rely on ground pole work as a proven method rather than additional equipment that may compromise muscle recruitment patterns
Key Findings
- •Ground poles significantly increased multifidus muscle work and peak activation at cranial thoracic locations and peak activation in lumbar regions during trotting
- •Resistance band training device alone reduced left caudal thoracic and right lumbar muscle work and peak activity compared to trotting without the device
- •When resistance device was combined with ground poles, caudal thoracic muscle work and activation were significantly reduced, contradicting the hypothesis that the device would enhance pole benefits