Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects
Date of Award
4-2024
Document Type
Honors Project
Degree Name
Equine Pre-Veterinary/Pre-Graduate Studies-BS
Department
Equine Science
Advisor
Dr. Sheri Birmingham
First Committee Member
Dr. Sheri Birmingham
Second Committee Member
Dr. Jeffrey Lehman
Third Committee Member
Dr. John Tansey
Keywords
Equine, Whole Body Vibration, Back Soreness
Subject Categories
Animal Sciences | Higher Education | Large or Food Animal and Equine Medicine
Abstract
Whole body vibrational therapy (WBV) is well-studied in people, but there is a paucity of research of its effect on horses. It is suggested that WBV use in horses increases performance, aids in recovery, and stimulates nerves, bones, and muscles in ways that normal exercise does not. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if frequent WBV therapy sessions affect back soreness in horses using pressure algometry. Most sporthorses will experience back soreness in their careers, and it is regarded as one of the most common causes of poor performance in equine athletes. Five horses were measured for mechanical nociceptive thresholds at 8 points along their backs once every 7 days for 8 weeks. Baseline pain scores were established over the first 4 weeks. During the second 4-week period, horses received 5, 30-minute vibration therapy sessions per week. Despite previous research indicating that WBV increases epaxial muscle symmetry in horses, no significant difference was noted between the subjects’ average pain thresholds during the baseline period and the trial period. Upon further investigation of the change in sensitivity at the individual sites, 4 out of the 8 sites did show a 0.5-1 kgf difference. This suggests that with further study WBV may increase average pain thresholds. Further experimentation is required to assess whether this difference is biologically meaningful.
Licensing Permission
Copyright, all rights reserved. Fair Use
Recommended Citation
Leibeck, Riley, "Pilot Study: Effects of Whole Body Vibrational Therapy on Equine Epaxial Muscle Soreness" (2024). Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects. 166.
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/stu_honor/166
Acknowledgement 1
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Acknowledgement 2
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Included in
Animal Sciences Commons, Higher Education Commons, Large or Food Animal and Equine Medicine Commons