RESUMO
The number of horses leaving the Australian Thoroughbred (TB) racing industry each year is of concern to animal welfare advocates, public and regulators. A horse's previous athletic performance is a significant driver of retirement from racing. Racehorse performance can be measured in terms of the total number of starts, duration of racing and prize money earned. This study investigated Australian racing records for the 2005 and 2010 Victorian TB foal crops to identify factors associated with total number of starts, racing career duration, prize money earned and age of last race start-up to the 10-year-old racing season. Racing Australia registered 4,577 TB horses born in Victoria in 2005 (n = 2,506) and 2010 (n = 2,071) that raced in Australia. Horses that started racing at 2-years of age had fewer race starts in their first racing season but an increased total number of starts, prize money and duration of racing. The median age of last start (LS) was five (Q1 4; Q3 7) years. Horses that had won a race, had a maximum handicap rating of 61 or above and those racing over distances of more than 2,400 m had an increased racing career duration and an age of last race start greater than 6-years of age. Horses participating in jumps races (n = 63) had the longest careers and older age of LS. These horses were more likely to have had a handicap rating over 80 and were just as likely to start their racing careers as 2-years-olds.
Assuntos
Condicionamento Físico Animal , Esportes , Animais , Cavalos , VitóriaRESUMO
The proportion of Thoroughbred (TB) horses that commence training and eventually race, is an important industry-level indicator of how successful it is at producing horses suitable for racing. It is also of interest to the wider community and is central to the issue of whether there is overbreeding in the Australian TB industry. This study investigated the training and racing records for the 2005 and 2010 Victorian TB foal crops to determine the proportion of TBs that train and race, and the age of entering training and first race start. Subsets of the foal crop were also examined to determine if premier yearling sale cohorts would produce selection bias. The Australian Stud Book (ASB) registered 7662 TB horses born in Victoria in 2005 (n = 4116) and 2010 (n = 3546). Of these, 5614 (73%) entered training and 4868 (64%) started in at least one race. Fourteen percent (n = 1045) of the study cohort had their first race start as 2-year-olds and 35% (n = 2644) had their first start as 3-year-olds. A higher proportion of TB horses that attended premier yearling sales entered training (93%) and raced (84%). This study established a baseline for training and racing milestones, such as the proportion and age that horses commenced training, and age of first start using population-level data. It also established that the use of subsets of the population can introduce selection bias.
Assuntos
Cavalos , Condicionamento Físico Animal , Esportes , Animais , Austrália , Cruzamento , Estudos de Coortes , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) in racehorses are commonly due to bone fatigue, a function of the number of cycles (strides) and the magnitude of load applied to the limb. These parameters can be estimated using speed and distance, with greater than 6000 m/month at a gallop (>14 m/s), in combination with canter distances greater than 44,000 m/month, reported to increase fracture risk. Despite their importance, there are limited data on the distances and speeds horses are exposed to during training. OBJECTIVES: Estimate training volume at different speeds undertaken by Australian Thoroughbred racehorses. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Registered trainers (n = 66) in Victoria, Australia were surveyed. Questions were designed to assess the full training workload from initial pre-training to training performed to achieve and maintain race fitness, as well as information on rest periods. Descriptive analyses were stratified by trainer- and horse-level factors, with assessment of variance within and between groups. Cluster analyses were used to identify similar workload intensity groups. RESULTS: Horse-level factors (age, targeted race distance) were associated with workload (youngerAssuntos
Fraturas Ósseas/veterinária
, Condicionamento Físico Animal
, Animais
, Estudos Transversais
, Cavalos
, Fatores de Risco
, Vitória
RESUMO
Long bone fractures in racehorses may present as stress fractures which have a good prognosis, or complete fractures, which often result in a fatal outcome. In order to identify differences in modifiable management practices that may contribute to these outcomes, racing histories of horses with humeral or tibial fractures and of matched controls were examined. A retrospective case-control study of Australian Thoroughbred racehorses diagnosed with a fracture of the humerus or tibia by scintigraphy or at post-mortem between 2002 and 2016 was undertaken. Control horses were matched from the same race or trial on age and sex. Statistical analysis was performed using conditional logistic regression, χ2 and Mann-Whitney U tests. More humeral fractures than tibial fractures were fatal (12/47, 26% vs. 3/35, 8.6%, P = 0.049). No differences in pre-injury racing histories were observed between cases and controls for humeral and tibial fractures. Both humeral and tibial fracture case horses were younger than the registered Thoroughbred racing population (P < 0.001), but horses sustaining humeral fractures were older than those with tibial fractures (3.3 ± 0.9 vs. 2.8 ± 0.8 years, P = 0.005) yet raced fewer times prior to the injury (0.5 ± 1.1 vs. 1.3 ± 1.7 races, P = 0.009). Horses with fatal humeral fractures were less likely to have raced than those with non-fatal humeral fractures (16.7% vs. 55.6%, P = 0.02). In conclusion, tibial and humeral fractures occur in young racehorses, and humeral fractures are more likely to be fatal in those with the least exposure to trialling and racing.
Assuntos
Cavalos/lesões , Fraturas do Úmero/veterinária , Esportes , Fraturas da Tíbia/veterinária , Fatores Etários , Animais , Austrália , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Feminino , Fraturas do Úmero/etiologia , Fraturas do Úmero/mortalidade , Masculino , Condicionamento Físico Animal , Cintilografia/veterinária , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Fraturas da Tíbia/etiologia , Fraturas da Tíbia/mortalidadeRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Veterinarians are required to interpret the significance of radiographic findings for sale, soundness and future racing performance of weanling and yearling Thoroughbreds. We investigated the prevalence and radiographic appearance of slab fractures of the third (T3) and central tarsal (Tc) bones. METHODS: Weanling and yearling horses with complete or incomplete T3 or Tc fracture were identified by searching a database of radiographs. The prevalence and radiographic appearance at initial diagnosis and after continued pasture turnout, as well as prognosis for racing, of fractures of T3 and Tc were determined. RESULTS: Fractures were identified in 186 tarsi (184 T3 fracture only, 1 Tc fracture only, 1 Tc and T3 fracture) of 157 horses (126 unilateral T3, 29 bilateral T3, 1 contralateral Tc and T3, 1 unilateral Tc and T3) from 7676 examinations. The prevalence of T3 and Tc fractures was 2.40 (95% CI 2.07, 2.76) and 0.04 (95% CI 0.01, 0.11) per 100 radiographic examinations respectively. Fractures were identified on the D556-65°MPlLO view and occurred by survey examination at 11.1 ± 1.3 months in 85.7% horses. At initial diagnosis, 84.3% of T3 fractures appeared incomplete and involved the distal articular surface. Fracture score improved (P < 0.001), and dorsal modelling (P < 0.001) and osteoarthritis score increased in the distal intertarsal joint (P < 0.001), but not the tarsometatarsal joint, between survey and repository examinations. Fractures healed by repository examination in 71.9% of tarsi if there was > 6 months between examinations. There was no difference in sale price, and horses with T3 fractures had fewer trials when 2 and 3 years old (P = 0.023), yet no difference in other parameters of racing success when 2 or 3 years old compared with controls. CONCLUSION: Tarsal slab fractures can occur in juvenile Thoroughbreds and most heal with continued pasture turnout of > 6 months. Further investigation is required to determine risk factors and before making firm conclusions regarding the optimal management, prognosis for racing and long-term soundness.
Assuntos
Fraturas Ósseas/veterinária , Doenças dos Cavalos/epidemiologia , Ossos do Tarso/lesões , Medicina Veterinária Esportiva/métodos , Animais , Austrália , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Fraturas Ósseas/diagnóstico por imagem , Fraturas Ósseas/epidemiologia , Doenças dos Cavalos/diagnóstico por imagem , Cavalos , Prevalência , Estudos Retrospectivos , Ossos do Tarso/diagnóstico por imagemRESUMO
Studies of racehorse injury or fatality in various countries have identified common, and in some cases conflicting, risk factors. We conducted a systematic search of the relevant literature published from 1990 to 2017. Peer-reviewed articles were included if they reported the incidence of fatal or catastrophic musculoskeletal injury (CMI) in Thoroughbred flat races (n=21) or risk factors for CMI (n=65). Pooled effect sizes were estimated using the random-effects DerSimonian-Laird model. The pooled incidence of CMI was 1.17 (95% confidence interval 0.90, 1.44) per 1000 race starts. Almost 300 factors have been investigated in epidemiological studies for potential associations with CMI. Factors found to have consistent evidence of increasing risk of CMI are: (1) Horse-level factors such as older horse age and age at first start, male sex, and higher race class or lower claiming price; (2) Race-level factors such as firmer track conditions on turf and wetter conditions on dirt, longer race distance, and a greater number of starters; and (3) Management-related factors including more time since previous start, greater number of starts, longer career length, issues identified at pre-race examination, previous injury, and recent administration of medication or injections. Studies investigating recent cumulative distance of high-speed exercise were conflicting and suggestive of at least two mechanisms of injury related to the accumulation of bone damage: (1) In well adapted bone following a period of intense training; and (2) In poorly adapted bone at relatively low levels of training intensity. Future studies should evaluate success of interventions and mechanisms for injury.
Assuntos
Osso e Ossos/lesões , Doenças dos Cavalos/epidemiologia , Músculo Esquelético/lesões , Fatores Etários , Animais , Feminino , Cavalos , Masculino , Condicionamento Físico Animal , Fatores de Risco , Corrida , Fatores Sexuais , Esportes , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Fragmentation of the dorsal aspect of the distal talus (FDDT), at the dorsolateral articular margin of the proximal intertarsal joint (PITJ) on pre-sale radiographs of yearling Thoroughbreds has not been previously described and data to support decisions made by veterinarians to predict future racing potential of horses with these lesions are lacking. METHODS: In this retrospective case-control study we aimed to determine the prevalence of FDDT in juvenile Thoroughbreds and to report their race records. From a database of survey and repository radiographic examinations of 5709 horses, 36 with FDDT were identified. RESULTS: The prevalence of FDDT was 0.63% (36/5709; 95%CI 0.44, 0.87), compared with 5.01% (286/5709; 95%CI 4.46, 5.61) for osteochondrosis of the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia in the same population. In most cases, a single oval-shaped fragment 1-12 mm in diameter was present. When comparing cases with matched controls, there were no significant differences in mean sale price, whether horses started in a trial or race and mean number of starts, wins, places and prize money when 2- and 3-years old. CONCLUSION: FDDT did not appear to affect racing performance, although a larger-scale study is warranted to confirm this finding.
Assuntos
Fraturas Ósseas/veterinária , Doenças dos Cavalos/epidemiologia , Osteocondrose/veterinária , Tálus/lesões , Animais , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Feminino , Fraturas Ósseas/diagnóstico por imagem , Fraturas Ósseas/epidemiologia , Doenças dos Cavalos/diagnóstico por imagem , Cavalos , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , New South Wales/epidemiologia , Osteocondrose/diagnóstico por imagem , Osteocondrose/epidemiologia , Prevalência , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Esportes , Inquéritos e Questionários , Tálus/diagnóstico por imagemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Microdamage accumulation leads to subchondral bone injury and/or fracture in racehorses. An understanding of this process is essential for developing strategies for injury prevention. OBJECTIVES: To quantify subchondral bone microdamage in the third metacarpal bone of Thoroughbred racehorses at different stages of the training cycle. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional. METHODS: Bone blocks from the palmar aspect of the medial condyles of third metacarpal bones from 46 racing Thoroughbred horses undergoing post-mortem were examined with micro computed tomography (microCT) to detect calcified microcracks, and light microscopy to quantify bulk stained microcracks. Racing and training histories were obtained for comparison with microdamage data using regression modelling. RESULTS: Subchondral bone microcracks were observed in all bones with at least one method. Microdamage grade was greater in older horses, levelling-off for horses 5 years and older (quadratic term P = 0.01), and with lower bone material density in the parasagittal groove (P = 0.02). Microcrack density was higher in older horses (P = 0.004), and with higher bone volume fraction (BV/TV) in the parasagittal groove in horses in training (interaction effect, P = 0.01) and lower in horses resting from training (P = 0.02). MAIN LIMITATIONS: Cross-sectional data only. Incomplete detection of microdamage due to the limits of resolution of microCT and lack of three-dimensional imaging with microscopy. Multicollinearity between variables that indicated career progression (e.g. age, number of career starts, duration of training period) was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Fatigue damage in the distal metacarpal subchondral bone is common in Thoroughbred racehorses undergoing post-mortem and appears to accumulate throughout a racing career. Reduced intensity or duration of training and racing and/or increased duration of rest periods may limit microdamage accumulation. Focal subchondral bone sclerosis indicates the presence of microdamage.
Assuntos
Cavalos/lesões , Metacarpo/diagnóstico por imagem , Metacarpo/lesões , Fatores Etários , Animais , Calcinose/diagnóstico por imagem , Calcinose/veterinária , Corantes , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Cavalos/classificação , Modelos Lineares , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Condicionamento Físico Animal , Corantes de Rosanilina , Coloração e Rotulagem/métodos , Coloração e Rotulagem/veterinária , Microtomografia por Raio-X/veterináriaRESUMO
Determining welfare status in a population is the first step in efforts to improve welfare. The primary objective of this study was to explore a new epidemiological approach for analysis of data from official competent authorities that pertain to compliance with animal welfare legislation. We reviewed data already routinely collected as part of Swedish official animal welfare inspections for 2010-13, using a checklist containing 45 checkpoints (CPs). These covered animal-, resource- and management-based measures of equine welfare. The animal-based CPs were measures that directly related to the animal and included social contact, body condition, hoof condition and cleanliness. Non-compliance with one or more of the animal-based CPs was used as a binary outcome of poor equine welfare; 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using the exact binomial distribution. Associations were determined using multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for clustering on premises. Resource- and management-based CPs (model inputs) were reduced by principal component analysis. Other input factors included premises characteristics (e.g. size, location) and inspection characteristics (e.g. type of inspection). There were 30 053 premises with horses from 21 counties registered by the Swedish Board of Agriculture. In total 13 321 inspections of premises were conducted at 28.4% (n=8532) of all registered premises. For random inspections, the premises-prevalence of poor equine welfare was 9.5% (95% CI 7.5, 11.9). Factors associated with poor equine welfare were non-compliance with requirements for supervision, care or feeding of horses, facility design, personnel, stable hygiene, pasture and exercise area maintenance, as well as the owner not being notified of the inspection, a previous complaint or deficiency, spring compared with autumn, and not operating as a professional equine business. Horses at premises compliant with stabling and shelter requirements had significantly better welfare if they also complied with documentation requirements. We present a novel approach for analysis of equine welfare data from regulatory inspections by the official competent authorities, and propose on-going analyses and benchmarking of trends in animal-based measures over time. We also suggest how such a database could be further improved to facilitate future epidemiological analyses of risk factors associated with poor equine welfare. The study has implications for other competent authorities and researchers collaborating in the area of animal welfare epidemiology.
Assuntos
Criação de Animais Domésticos/normas , Bem-Estar do Animal/estatística & dados numéricos , Cavalos/fisiologia , Criação de Animais Domésticos/legislação & jurisprudência , Bem-Estar do Animal/legislação & jurisprudência , Animais , Higiene , Modelos Logísticos , Prevalência , Fatores de Risco , Suécia/epidemiologiaRESUMO
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: If equine conditions with high likelihood of jockey injury can be determined and subsequently prevented, jockey safety can be enhanced. OBJECTIVES: To identify racehorse injuries or conditions with greatest risk for jockey falls and injuries. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective correlation of race-day jockey fall and injury data with racehorse fatality data. METHODS: Thoroughbred (TB) and Quarter Horse (QH) racehorse cause of death and jockey fall and injury data for California flat races were reviewed for a 6-year period. Race and jockey race ride population data were used to determine jockey fall and injury incidence rates relative to cause of racehorse death, and were assessed using Poisson regression. Differences in proportions were assessed using Fisher's exact, Pearson's χ(2), and Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel tests. RESULTS: 707 racehorses experienced race-related catastrophic injury or sudden death. 199 jockeys had 601 falls with 325 injuries. Jockeys were 162 times more likely to fall (95% confidence interval 137-192; P<0.001) and 171 times more likely to be injured (95% confidence interval 140-208; P<0.001) when they rode a horse that died in a race. We infer that jockeys were more likely to fall or be injured when riding in QH races than in TB races because of a higher incidence of horse fatalities in QH races. Jockey falls occurred with 24% of TB and 36% of QH race-related horse fatalities, and jockey injury occurred in 64% of falls. Jockey falls were most common with TB fetlock injuries and QH carpal, metacarpal and fetlock injuries; and with axial, bilateral and multiple injuries compared with appendicular, unilateral and singular injuries, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention of the most common catastrophic injuries and conditions of the racehorse, e.g. fetlock injuries, may be most effective at decreasing rates of falls and injuries to horseracing jockeys during racing.
Assuntos
Acidentes por Quedas/estatística & dados numéricos , Acidentes de Trabalho/estatística & dados numéricos , Traumatismos em Atletas/epidemiologia , Morte Súbita/veterinária , Cavalos/lesões , Animais , California/epidemiologia , Humanos , Fatores de Risco , Corrida , EsportesRESUMO
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Knowledge of the site distribution of ligamentous injuries facilitates clinical diagnosis of suspensory apparatus conditions. OBJECTIVES: To determine if lesions within the suspensory ligament (SL) and distal ligaments of the proximal sesamoid bones (DSLs) were associated with suspensory apparatus failure or metacarpal lateral condylar fracture in California Thoroughbred racehorses. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Suspensory apparatus specimens from 327 deceased Thoroughbred racehorses were sectioned within the SL body and branches, and oblique and straight DSLs. Purple lesions ≥2 mm in width were categorised as moderate and paler or smaller lesions as mild. Associations between moderate lesions and age, sex, racetrack and cause of death were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Moderate lesions were evident in 16% and milder lesions in 77% of racehorses. Moderate lesions occurred with similar frequency in SL branches and oblique DSLs. Moderate lesions were more likely to occur in horses that died as a result of suspensory apparatus failure (odds ratio [OR] = 4.60; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.61-13.13; and P = 0.004) or metacarpal lateral condylar fracture (OR = 5.05; 95% CI 1.42-17.93; and P = 0.012) compared with horses that died from nonmusculoskeletal causes, and in horses aged ≥7 years horses compared with 2-year-old horses (OR = 5.33; 95% CI 1.44-19.75; and P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate lesions are common in the SL branches and oblique DSLs of racehorses, and may be associated with risk for suspensory apparatus failure and metacarpal condylar fracture. Monitoring health of the suspensory apparatus ligamentous structures may be a simple means of assessing fatigue in, and preventing more extensive injuries to, the forelimb suspensory apparatus and metacarpal condyles.
Assuntos
Membro Anterior/lesões , Doenças dos Cavalos/patologia , Cavalos/lesões , Ligamentos/lesões , Animais , California , Causas de Morte , Feminino , Membro Anterior/patologia , Doenças dos Cavalos/etiologia , Masculino , Corrida , Ossos Sesamoides , EsportesRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The risk of falls and injuries in horseracing varies with sex and experience of the jockey. AIMS: To determine whether the incidence and costs of insurance claims also differ by such factors. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of compensation claims by flat racing and jumps jockeys injured in a race-day fall in Australia between 2002 and 2009. Claim incidence, costs, absentee days and location, cause and type of injury sustained were described, stratified by jockey sex, age and experience. RESULTS: The incidence of claims by flat and jumps racing was 0.6 and 6.5 per 1000 rides, respectively. The mean cost of a claim was 43374 Australian dollars (AUD) (SD 249612) in flat racing and AUD 52589 (SD 157808) in jumps racing. The incidence of claims was greater for experienced flat racing jockeys than apprentices but mean costs were higher for apprentices. After adjustment for experience, there were no sex differences in the average cost or incidence of flat racing jockeys' claims. In general, the fall incidence declined, but the claim incidence and median cost of a claim increased, with age. On average, jockeys were absent from work for 9 weeks following a substantive injury. Limb fractures (33%), muscular or soft tissue injuries (28%) and contusions (17%) were the most commonly reported injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The economic costs of jockey injuries sustained in race-day falls are considerable. Identification of differences in incidence and costs of insurance claims between jockey characteristics will assist decision makers in the development and assessment of targeted safety strategies.
Assuntos
Acidentes por Quedas/estatística & dados numéricos , Acidentes de Trabalho , Traumatismos em Atletas , Fraturas Ósseas/economia , Cobertura do Seguro , Indenização aos Trabalhadores , Absenteísmo , Acidentes por Quedas/economia , Acidentes de Trabalho/economia , Acidentes de Trabalho/estatística & dados numéricos , Adulto , Animais , Traumatismos em Atletas/economia , Traumatismos em Atletas/epidemiologia , Austrália/epidemiologia , Feminino , Fraturas Ósseas/epidemiologia , Cavalos , Humanos , Incidência , Cobertura do Seguro/economia , Cobertura do Seguro/estatística & dados numéricos , Masculino , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: To gain insight into the pathophysiology of equine lumbar vertebral fractures in racehorses. OBJECTIVES: To characterise equine lumbar vertebral fractures in California racehorses. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series and prospective case-control study. METHODS: Racehorse post mortem reports and jockey injury reports were retrospectively reviewed. Vertebral specimens from 6 racehorses affected with lumbar vertebral fractures and 4 control racehorses subjected to euthanasia for nonspinal fracture were assessed using visual, radiographic, computed tomography and histological examinations. RESULTS: Lumbar vertebral fractures occurred in 38 Quarter Horse and 29 Thoroughbred racehorses over a 22 year period, primarily involving the 5th and/or 6th lumbar vertebrae (L5-L6; 87% of Quarter Horses and 48% of Thoroughbreds). Lumbar vertebral fractures were the third most common musculoskeletal cause of death in Quarter Horses and frequently involved a jockey injury. Lumbar vertebral specimens contained anatomical variations in the number of vertebrae, dorsal spinous processes and intertransverse articulations. Lumbar vertebral fractures examined in 6 racehorse specimens (5 Quarter Horses and one Thoroughbred) coursed obliquely in a cranioventral to caudodorsal direction across the adjacent L5-L6 vertebral endplates and intervertebral disc, although one case involved only one endplate. All cases had evidence of abnormalities on the ventral aspect of the vertebral bodies consistent with pre-existing, maladaptive pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Lumbar vertebral fractures occur in racehorses with pre-existing pathology at the L5-L6 vertebral junction that is likely predisposes horses to catastrophic fracture. Knowledge of these findings should encourage assessment of the lumbar vertebrae, therefore increasing detection of mild vertebral injuries and preventing catastrophic racehorse and associated jockey injuries.
Assuntos
Fraturas Ósseas/veterinária , Doenças dos Cavalos/patologia , Vértebras Lombares/patologia , Animais , Traumatismos em Atletas , California/epidemiologia , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Feminino , Fraturas Ósseas/epidemiologia , Fraturas Ósseas/mortalidade , Fraturas Ósseas/patologia , Doenças dos Cavalos/epidemiologia , Doenças dos Cavalos/mortalidade , Cavalos , Humanos , Região Lombossacral , Masculino , Estudos Retrospectivos , Corrida , Doenças da Coluna Vertebral/epidemiologia , Doenças da Coluna Vertebral/patologia , Doenças da Coluna Vertebral/veterinária , EsportesRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To develop a platform that used standard size force plates for large breed dogs to capture ground reaction force data from any size dog. METHODS: A walkway platform was constructed to accommodate two force plates (60 cm x 40 cm) positioned in series to a variety of smaller sizes. It was constructed from a custom wood frame with thick aluminium sheet force plate covers that prevented transfer of load to the force plate, except for rectangular windows of three different dimensions. A friction study was performed to ensure plates did not translate relative to one another during gait trials. A prospective, observational, single crossover study design was used to compare the effect of force platform configuration (full plate size [original plate], half plate size [modified plate]) on ground reaction forces using eight adult healthy Labrador Retriever dogs. RESULTS: Slippage of the steel plate on the force plate did not occur. Peak propulsion force was the only kinetic variable statistically different between the full size and half sized platforms. There were no clinically significant differences between the full and half force platforms for the variables and dogs studied. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The modified force platform allows the original 60 x 40 cm force plate to be adjusted effectively to a 30 x 40 cm, 20 x 40 cm and 15 x 40 cm sized plate with no clinically significant change in kinetic variables. This modification that worked for large breed dogs will potentially allow kinetic analysis of a large variety of dogs with different stride lengths.
Assuntos
Tamanho Corporal/fisiologia , Cães/fisiologia , Animais , Fenômenos Biomecânicos , Atividade Motora , Pressão , Estresse MecânicoRESUMO
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Identification of exercise history patterns that are related to catastrophic scapular fracture will facilitate prevention of racehorse fatalities. OBJECTIVES: To determine if exercise patterns are associated with scapular fracture in Thoroughbred (TB) and Quarter Horse (QH) racehorses. METHODS: High-speed exercise histories for 65 TB and 26 QH racehorses that had a complete scapular fracture (cases) and 2 matched control racehorses were retrospectively studied. Exercise variables were created from lifetime race and official timed workout reports. Associations between exercise variables and scapular fracture were investigated using conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Thoroughbreds with a scapular fracture had a greater number of workouts, events (combined works and races), and mean event distances than QHs with a scapular fracture. Quarter Horses worked less frequently and accumulated distance at a lower rate than TBs. Breed differences were not found for career race number or length, time between races or lay-up variables for horses with ≥1 lay-up. For both breeds, cases had fewer events, lower recent accumulated distance and fewer active days in training than controls; however, a subset of TB cases with >10 events since lay-up had a longer active career than controls. For QHs that had a lay-up, total and mean lay-up times were greater for cases than controls. Multivariable models revealed that odds ratios (OR) of scapular fracture were greater for TBs that had not yet raced (OR = 23.19; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.03-177.38) and lower for QHs with more events (OR = 0.71; 95% CI 0.54-0.94). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Racehorses that are in early high-speed training but behind that of their training cohort should be examined for signs of scapular stress remodelling. Quarter Horses that had a prolonged lay-up and TBs that have endured high-speed training for a longer duration than that of their training cohort also were at greater risk.
Assuntos
Fraturas Ósseas/veterinária , Doenças dos Cavalos/etiologia , Cavalos/lesões , Condicionamento Físico Animal , Escápula/lesões , Animais , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Feminino , Fraturas Ósseas/etiologia , Fraturas Ósseas/mortalidade , Predisposição Genética para Doença , Doenças dos Cavalos/genética , Doenças dos Cavalos/mortalidade , Cavalos/genética , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Análise Multivariada , Razão de Chances , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Corrida , Esportes , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics and costs of injuries to cyclists resulting in a 3rd party insurance claim in Tasmania. METHODS: Data on injuries to cyclists were obtained from the Motor Accident Insurance Board (MAIB) for the period 1990-2010. Frequency and insurance costs of injuries to cyclists were compared to injuries incurred by other road users. Descriptive analyses of cycling injuries and insurance costs by year, age and sex of claimant, and type and location of injury are presented. RESULTS: Annual costs of insurance claims by cyclists averaged AUD 3.9 million. There was a significant decrease in the frequency of claims made by all road users combined over the study period, but not for cyclists. Cycling injuries made up 2.0% of claims but accounted for 3.4% of the total costs and were among the road user groups with the highest mean costs per claim. Fractures (20.7%) were the most common cycling injury. Brain injuries led to the highest mean claim costs (AUD 1,559,032), and accounted for 66.8% of claim costs made by cyclists. CONCLUSIONS: Mean costs per claim for cycling injuries are high compared to those made by most other road users. The costs of these injuries impose a substantial burden on insurance payers. The high costs and severity of claims by cyclists compared to other road users demonstrates the high vulnerability of cyclists, and lends support to increasing separation of cyclists from motor vehicles.
Assuntos
Acidentes de Trânsito/estatística & dados numéricos , Ciclismo/lesões , Reembolso de Seguro de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Ferimentos e Lesões/etiologia , Acidentes de Trânsito/economia , Acidentes de Trânsito/mortalidade , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Ciclismo/economia , Criança , Feminino , Custos de Cuidados de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Tasmânia/epidemiologia , Ferimentos e Lesões/economia , Ferimentos e Lesões/epidemiologia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Objectives This pilot study describes the physiological attributes of jockeys and track-work riders in Tasmania and investigates whether these attributes are associated with falls. Methods All jockeys and track-work riders licensed in Tasmania were invited to participate. The study group consisted of eight jockeys (two female, six male) and 20 track-work riders (14 female, six male). Measures of anthropometry, balance, reaction time, isometric strength, vertical jump, glycolytic and aerobic fitness, flexibility and body composition were conducted. Tests were designed to assess specific aspects of rider fitness and performance relevant to horse racing. For a subset of participants (n=14), the authors obtained information on falls and injuries. The authors used Poisson regression to estimate incidence rate ratios. Results Jockeys had better balance, a faster mean reaction time, a lower fatigue index and a higher estimated $${\stackrel{.}{\hbox{ V }}\hbox{ O }}_{2\hbox{ max }}$$ than their track-work riding counterparts. Jockeys were also younger and smaller in stature than track-work riders, and when differences in body mass were taken into account, they had a greater muscular strength and muscular (alactic) power. Important factors found to be associated with falls were lower aerobic and anaerobic fitness, greater muscular strength and power, and riding with the full foot in the stirrup irons compared with riding on the ball of the foot. Conclusion This pilot study shows that physiological attributes of jockeys and track-work riders can predict their risk of falling and are measurable using methods feasible for large-scale fieldwork.
RESUMO
Thoroughbred jumps racing jockeys have a fall rate greater than their flat racing counterparts. Previous studies have focused on factors that contribute to falls by horses but, to date, there has not been a study of risk factors for falls to jockeys in jumps races. Data on race-day falls were extracted from stipendiary stewards reports lodged with Principal Racing Authorities following each race meeting. Denominator data were provided by Racing Information Services Australia on races conducted from August 2002 until July 2009. Univariable and multivariable analyses, estimating incidence rate ratios, were conducted using Poisson regression. In multivariable analysis in hurdle racing, important predictors of falls were higher club level, larger field size, greater prize money, provisionally licensed jockeys and older jockeys. There were significant interactions between jockey licence and prize money; jockey age and previous rides this meeting; race grade and race distance; horse age and field size; and club level and field size. In steeplechase racing, important predictors were type of jump with lowest fall rates in races over Mark III jumps compared to standard fences, provisionally licensed jockeys, jockeys having had previous rides at a meeting, and larger field size. There were significant interactions between the number of previous starts by the horse and field size; race distance and prize money; and race distance and previous rides this meeting. This study has identified factors for falls in jumps racing that could form the basis for targeted strategies to improve occupational health and safety standards.