Capacitive resistive electric transfer modifies gait pattern in horses exercised on a treadmill

Area of Science:

• Equine sports medicine
• Biomechanical analysis
• Therapeutic modalities

Background:

• Capacitive resistive electric transfer (CRET) at 448 kHz improves human athletic performance.
• CRET increases temperature, hemoglobin saturation, and metabolic product clearance.
• This study investigates CRET's effect on equine locomotor patterns and cumulative effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if CRET application influences the locomotor pattern in horses.
• To assess potential cumulative effects of two consecutive CRET sessions.
• To evaluate CRET's impact on equine biomechanics during treadmill exercise.

Main Methods:

• Nine horses received two CRET sessions on alternating sides of the neck, shoulder, back, and croup.
• Locomotor parameters were measured using accelerometers during treadmill walk and trot before and after CRET.
• A sham procedure was used as a control, with evaluations at 2, 6, 12, 26, 30, and 36 hours post-session.

Main Results:

• CRET significantly increased total power, including dorsoventral, mediolateral, and longitudinal components.
• Stride regularity improved, with increased stride length and decreased stride frequency at fixed velocities.
• A cumulative effect of CRET was observed in stride length and frequency after two sessions.

Conclusions:

• CRET appears to be a valuable technique for enhancing equine power and stride length at specific gaits.
• Further research is recommended to explore CRET's impact on performance across various equine sport disciplines.