Hartpury University Repository

Lewis, Victoria

Tredup, Hannah

Conclusion: This preliminary study has identified significant differences between the NOV and ADV riding styles in
different gaits through kinematic and pressure distribution analysis. There is an abundance of research assessing the
astride riding position and its influences on the horse which offers a platform for future studies assessing the side-
saddle rider position. Out-of-saddle discipline specific exercises to improve rider symmetry and strength are increasing
in popularity for the modern rider. Results identifying side-saddle rider asymmetries offer the potential for side-saddle
specific exercises to be developed enabling a clear application to industry
Kinematic and saddle pressure analysis of elite side-saddle 
riders versus novice level side-saddle riders
H. Tredup and V. Lewis* 
Hartpury University, Gloucestershire, UK
INTRODUCTION: Current research has identified significant differences in
rider ability across different levels. As rider ability has been known to have a
distinct effect on equine performance, it is important to identify the optimal
riding style to enable the optimal rider-horse combination. To date there have
been no studies assessing side-saddle rider ability. A comparison of novice and
advanced side-saddle riders offers an insight into the potential differences and
variations in riding style.
AIM: The purpose of this study was to identify whether there were any
significant differences in the riding position and weight distribution of novice
and advanced side-saddle riders in halt, walk, trot and canter on an equine
simulator.
METHOD: 2-D motion analysis was used to determine the angles of the trunk, lower left leg, shoulder symmetry and 
pelvis symmetry of 8 advanced (ADV) riders and 10 novice (NOV) riders in the 4 conditions stated above. A Tekscan
pressure pad was also placed between the simulator and saddle to assess weight distribution by calculating 
differences in peak pressure (PP).  
Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 24 for Mac. A non-parametric Mann Whitney U Test for 
difference (P0.05) was performed for the comparison of NOV and ADV riders for each positional angle as well as the 
comparison of PP symmetry.
Contact author:  *Victoria.lewis@hartpury.ac.uk
Hartpury University
 -
 10.00
 20.00
 30.00
 40.00
 50.00
 60.00
 70.00
 80.00
 90.00
 ADV left mean  ADV right mean  NOV left mean  NOV right mean
 Halt  Walk  Trot  Canter
Figure 1: Left and right peak saddle pressure (kPa) for both NOV and ADV 
groups across all four conditions 
Dependent Variable ADV (mean  SD) NOV (mean  SD) P Value  0.05
trunk angle Halt 4.28  3.451 3.98  4.256 0.829
Walk 3.23  4.370 2.29  4.354 0.965
Trot 4.36  4.310 2.81  4.286 0.829
Canter 7.39  4.922 5.44  2.794 0.360
lower leg angle Halt 16.63  3.623 14.21  3.020 0.146
Walk 16.67  3.527 14.25  2.746 0.173
Trot 18.40  3.373 17.08  3.009 0.360
Canter 15.00  4.636 13.45  3.049 0.360
shoulder symmetry Halt 0.06  1.009 1.21  2.568 0.203
Walk 0.55  1.495 2.41  1.812 0.034
Trot 0.61  1.099 1.69  2.387 0.515
Canter 0.89  1.909 2.07  1.969 0.237
pelvis symmetry Halt 2.35  1.624 4.41  2.998 0.071
Walk 3.48  1.996 5.67  2.865 0.043
Trot 3.98  2.143 6.19  3.911 0.034
Canter 3.89  2.460 5.56  3.552 0.083
Table 1: Kinematic 2-D motion analysis of the ADV and NOV groups


English

Kinematic analysis of the Side-Saddle rider according to different skill levels

Parr, Daisy Mae

Holt, Susan

The effect of routine veterinary care on rabbit welfare
D. Parr* and S. Holt
Hartpury University, Hartpury, Gloucestershire, UK, GL19 3BE
*Corresponding author: daisyparr@hotmail.co.uk
Introduction
The needs of pet rabbits are very complex and can therefore be misunderstood by owners
(Prebble and Meredith, 2014). The PDSA PAWS report (2018), states that the rabbit is
Britain’s third most popular pet, yet at least 340,000 are not registered with a veterinary
practice. Non-registration could indicate a lack of owner knowledge surrounding the need for
rabbit healthcare. This lack of healthcare and knowledge may be having a negative effect on
these rabbits. The lifespan of a rabbit can be up to 13 years of age, but due to aspects such
as diet, poor health and little exercise, the pet does not always live to this age (Buseth and
Saunders, 2015). The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact on the rabbits welfare of not
attending routine appointments.
* To understand the effects of routine
veterinary appointments on rabbit welfare 
* To obtain a mean age for euthanised 
rabbits in 2018..
Methodology 
A retrospective study was performed in a single first opinion practice in Gloucestershire. The clinical notes for 111 rabbits
seen during October and November 2018 were analysed and then split into groupings according to their attendance at non-
routine appointments (n=40). Group one had not attended any routine appointments within the eighteen months of presenting for
a non-routine appointment (n=15). Group two had attended routine appointments within the last eighteen months prior to
presenting for a non-routine appointment (n=25). An American Society of Anaesthesiology (ASA) grade (Figure 1) was given to
all rabbits at each appointment. The rabbits’ first non-routine appointment grade was recorded. A Mann-Whitney U test was
performed to see if there was a significant difference between the grades of both groups and to compare the age and sex of the
two groups. All rabbit records presented for euthanasia throughout the whole of 2018 were also analysed for age at time of
death.
Research objectives
Attendance at routine veterinary appointments can 
improve rabbit welfare and reduce the severity of their 
condition when presenting for non-routine 
appointments. Non-attendance for routine veterinary 
care can dramatically shorten the lifespan of rabbits. 
Conclusions
Reference list; American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA). (2014). ASA physical classification system. [Online], Available from: https://studylib.net/doc/8763741/asa-physical-status-classification-
system [Accessed 5 March 2019]. Buseth, M. and Saunders, R. (2015). Rabbit Behaviour, Health and care. Oxfordshire: Cabi.,People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). (2018). PAWreport2018.
[Online], Available from: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/media/4371/paw-2018-full-web-ready.pdf [Accessed on 04 October 2018]., Prebble, J., and Meredith, A. (2014). Food and water intake and
selective feeding in rabbits on four feeding regimes, Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition [online] 98(5), pp. 991-1,000. . The rabbit house. (2018). Components of a rabbit’s diet.
[Online], Available from: http://www.therabbithouse.com/diet/components-rabbit-diet.asp [Accessed 17th August 2019].
Results
The rabbits in Group one had significantly higher (p=0.001) ASA grades than those in Group two, (Figure 2). This meant that the
rabbits that were seen within the last eighteen months for routine care, had a significantly lower ASA grade than those who had not
received routine care. The median ASA grade for Group one was 3. In Group one only 6.66% (n=1) were graded lower than 3 and
33.33%(n=5) graded at a 4. The median ASA grade for Group two was 2, with 60% (n=15) graded lower than 3 and 8% (n=2) graded
at 4. There was no significant difference between the age and sex of the groups (p=>0.05). A total of 38 rabbits were euthanised in
2018. Of these, 42.1% (n=16) were less than 3 years old, (Figure 3) and 65.8% (n=25) had never attended a routine appointment
prior to ethanasia.
Figure 2: ASA grades for the rabbits in groups one and two Figure 3: The mean age (years), at time of death 
in 2018
Rabbits in a suitable environment. 
Figure 1: ASA grading system
Category Physical Status
ASA 1 Normal healthy patient
ASA 2 Patient with mild systemic disease
ASA 3 Patient with severe systemic disease that is 
not a constant threat to life
ASA 4 Patient with severe systemic disease that is 
a constant threat to life
ASA 5 Moribund patient not expected to survive 
with or without surgery
Components of a rabbit’s diet 
(The Rabbit House, 2018).


The effects of routine veterinary appointments on rabbit welfare

Lowry, Ruth G.

Hale, Beverley J.

Draper, Stephen

Smith, Marcus S.

Rock drumming enhances motor and psychosocial skills of children with emotional and behavioral difficulties

Clark, C. C. T.

The British Journal of Sports Medicine PhD Academy Awards 
PhD title: Profiling Movement and Gait Quality in Children’s Physical Activity 
Cain C. T. Clark 
Correspondence to: Dr. Cain C. T. Clark, University Centre Hartpury, Gloucestershire, GL19 
3BE, UK; cain.clark@hartpury.ac.uk 
What did I do?  
The overarching aim of this PhD was to characterise and profile children’s physical activity 
movement quality. Further, chapter specific aims were, (1) to verify the validity and reliability 
of accelerometry in a mechanical and laboratory setting, (2) to characterise and profile 
movement quality according to body-mass index, and (3) to characterise and profile movement 
quality during recess and free-play. 
Why did I do it?  
Regular physical activity during childhood is positively associated with a variety of physical, 
social and psychological factor 1-3. Whilst there are a plethora of methods and techniques to 
quantify overall activity or energy expenditure, there is a paucity of research demonstrating 
objective methods to empirically derive quality of movement and its relationship to health, 
performance and risk factors 4. 
How did I do it?  
(1) Reliability and validity of raw accelerometry (Slamtracker, ADXL345 sensor, Analog 
Devices, USA) was assessed using a mechanical turntable operating at known speeds (GPO 
Stylo, Manchester, UK). Subsequently, 20 children (9-11y) performed fundamental 
movement skills, consisting of locomotion, fine and gross motor control tasks, and assessed 
using ankle-mounted accelerometry and three-dimensional kinematics (Vicon, MX13, 
Oxford, UK). 
(2) One-hundred and three children (9-11y) took part in the 20m multi-stage fitness test whilst 
wearing an ankle-mounted accelerometer. Performance variables assessed were time-to-
exhaustion and inferred V̇O2max.  
(3) Twenty-four children (9-11y) took part in school recess for a period of one-week. Activity 
was recorded using ankle-mounted accelerometry. Sixty-one children (3-5y) took part in 
free-play and motor competence assessment using the Movement Assessment Battery for 
Children (2nd edition).  
 
Classic and novel temporal and frequency domain analyses were conducted, consisting of 
overall activity, fast Fourier transformation, and variance analysis. Spectral purity derived 
movement quality (SPMQ) was computed using the fundamental frequency spectrum 
measured from the accelerometer. All data underwent hierarchical clustering based on 
normalised Euclidean distances. Further inferential statistics were conducted to investigate 
differences and correlations, accordingly.  
 
What did I find?  
(1) The accuracy and validity of raw accelerometry (absolute variance: <0.001 g, CV: 0.004%, 
in all axes) was verified. Overall activity during fundamental movement skills remains 
invariant, whilst large kinematic and kinetic variance can be detected (CV: 65%). 
(2) High BMI was significantly and negatively correlated with SPMQ (P<0.05), and 
hierarchically clustered with stride profile. Time-to-exhaustion was hierarchically clustered 
with SPMQ. Stride profile was significantly different between BMI classifications.  
(3) In 9-11y children, overall activity during recess was invariant day-to-day, yet significant 
daily differences were found for SPMQ (P<0.05). Overall activity was hierarchically 
clustered with SPMQ, in addition to a significant positive correlation between overall 
activity and SPMQ (P<0.05), whilst BMI percentile was negatively correlated with 
integrated acceleration and SPMQ. In 3-5y children, there were significant differences 
between motor competency classifications for SPMQ and integrated acceleration 
(P<0.001). SPMQ was hierarchically clustered with motor competence and overall activity. 
Significant positive correlations were found between SPMQ, integrated acceleration and 
motor competence (P<0.001). 
What is the most important clinical impact / practical application 
Children’s movement quality can be reliably assessed using accelerometers. The movement 
quality measure coined in this thesis, spectral purity, was indicative of performance, physical 
activity and motor competence. This PhD has expanded the current evidence base on children’s 
physical activity and movement quality and demonstrated that raw accelerometry can be used 
to provide innovation in how children move. The idea that measuring overall activity in 
children is enough is incomplete. Movement quality varies between children, and is impacted 
by age, body weight status and activity levels. This finding should encourage practitioners and 
researchers to consider not only quantity, but the quality of children’s activity, particularly in 
relation to school and home-based interventions. 
 
References 
1. Blair SN, Kohl HW, Gordon NF, Paffenbarger RS, Jr. How much physical activity is good for 
health? Annual review of public health. 1992;13:99-126. 
2. Strong WB, Malina RM, Blimkie CJ, Daniels SR, Dishman RK, Gutin B, Hergenroeder AC, 
Must A, Nixon PA, Pivarnik JM, Rowland T, Trost S, Trudeau F. Evidence based physical 
activity for school-age youth. The Journal of pediatrics. 2005;146(6):732-737. 
3. Telama R, Yang X, Leskinen E, Kankaanpaa A, Hirvensalo M, Tammelin T, Viikari JS, 
Raitakari OT. Tracking of Physical Activity from Early Childhood through Youth into 
Adulthood. Medicine and science in sports and exercise. 2013. 
4. Clark CC, Barnes CM, Stratton G, McNarry MA, Mackintosh KA, Summers HD. A Review 
of Emerging Analytical Techniques for Objective Physical Activity Measurement in Humans. 
Sports medicine. 2016. 
 
 


PhD Academy award: Profiling Movement and Gait Quality in Children’s Physical Activity: Consider Quality, not just Quantity

Lloyd, Katharine

Wills, Alison

Taylor, Sienna

The Anxiolytic Effects of Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) on the Domestic Dog (Canis familiaris)

Garrett, Lucy

Chick sociality and survivorship in a precocial seabird. Linking Behaviour to Populations and Communities: How can behavioural ecology inform conservation?

Wilkinson, Kate

Mobile learning games before anatomy class - can they make up for lack of pre-session preparation?

Moran, Jason

Parryl, Dave A.

Lewis, Ieuan

Collinson, Jay

Rumpf, Michael C.

Sandercock, Gavin R. H.

Maturation-related adaptations in running speed in response to sprint training in youth soccer players

R., Ramirez-Campillo

Álvarez, Cristian

García Pinillos, Felipe

Sánchez, Javier

Javier, Yanci

Castillo, Daniel

Loturco, Irineu

Chaabene, Helmi

Izquierdo, Mikel

Optimal reactive strength index: Is it an accurate variable to optimize plyometric training effects on measures of physical fitness in young soccer players?

Pardey, David

Tabor, Gillian

Oxley, James Andrew

Wills, Alison P

Peak forelimb ground reaction forces experienced by dogs jumping from a simulated car boot

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