Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2022; 35(04): A1-A14
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1758265
Podium Abstracts

Surface Compaction Affects Vertical Ground Reaction Forces of Equine Arena Surfaces More Than Surface Type

C. Rohlf
1   JD Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory, University of California, Davis, United States
,
T. Garcia-Nolen
1   JD Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory, University of California, Davis, United States
,
D. Fyhrie
2   Biomedical Engineering Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, United States
,
S. le Jeune
3   Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California, Davis, United States
,
M. Peterson
4   Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory, University of Kentucky, Lexington, United States
,
S. Stover
1   JD Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory, University of California, Davis, United States
› Author Affiliations
› Further Information
 

Introduction: Mechanical properties of arena surfaces are key extrinsic factors for musculoskeletal injury in equine athletes. Previously, the effects of surface type (dirt, synthetic) on vertical ground reaction forces (GRFs) were determined with small sample sizes (1–3). Our objective was to quantify vertical impact properties of many dirt and synthetic arena surfaces and determine the relationships of manageable surface properties with vertical GRFs.

Materials and Methods: Vertical GRFs of harrowed and compacted cushion were measured at five locations on 12 arena surfaces (five dirt, seven synthetic). Maximum impact force, vertical displacement, and deceleration were calculated. Cushion depth and moisture content were also measured. The effects of surface material (dirt/synthetic) and cushion compaction (harrowed/compacted) on vertical impact properties were assessed using ANOVA (p <0.05). Manageable surface properties were correlated with vertical GRFs.

Results: Compacted cushion exhibited significantly higher vertical impact force and deceleration with lower vertical displacement than harrowed cushion (p <0.001). The effect of compaction was magnified on dirt surfaces (p = 0.039). Synthetic surfaces had significantly greater vertical displacement than dirt surfaces (p = 0.021). Surfaces with deeper cushion layers and more moisture content were correlated with reduced maximum vertical impact force and deceleration with greater vertical displacement.

Discussion/Conclusion: Surfaces with less compacted, deeper, and moistened cushion layers reduced key risk factors for injury (force and deceleration). The benefits of management were more pronounced on dirt than synthetic surfaces. However, factors that diminish performance also increased (vertical displacement). These Results indicate that it is critical for arena owners to regularly harrow surfaces during competition to prevent injury while managing performance trade-offs.

Acknowledgements: Kaleb Dempsey was supported in part by the Centre for Equine Health with funds provided by the State of California satellite wagering fund and contributions by private donors.



Publication History

Article published online:
26 October 2022

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