Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Objective Assessment of Equine Locomotor Symmetry using Inertial Sensors System and Artificial Intelligence: A Comparative Study

Version 1 : Received: 5 February 2024 / Approved: 6 February 2024 / Online: 8 February 2024 (14:09:26 CET)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Calle-González, N.; Feudo, C.M.L.; Ferrucci, F.; Requena, F.; Stucchi, L.; Muñoz, A. Objective Assessment of Equine Locomotor Symmetry Using an Inertial Sensor System and Artificial Intelligence: A Comparative Study. Animals 2024, 14, 921. Calle-González, N.; Feudo, C.M.L.; Ferrucci, F.; Requena, F.; Stucchi, L.; Muñoz, A. Objective Assessment of Equine Locomotor Symmetry Using an Inertial Sensor System and Artificial Intelligence: A Comparative Study. Animals 2024, 14, 921.

Abstract

In horses, quantitative assessment of gait parameters, as the use of inertial measurement units system (IMUs), might help in the decision-making process. However, it requires financial investment, is time-consuming, and lacks accuracy if displaced. An innovative Artificial Intelligence marker-less Motion Tracking System (AI-MTS) may overcome these limitations in the field. Our aim was to compare the level of agreement and accuracy between both systems and visual clinical assessment. Twenty horses underwent locomotion analysis by visual assessment, IMUs and AI- MTS systems, in the following conditions: straight hard (SH), straight soft (SS), left and right circle hard (LCH, RCH) and soft (LCS, RCS). A greater number of horses were considered sound by clinical examination, compared to those identified as symmetric by the two gait analysis systems. More limbs were considered asymmetric by the AI-MTS compared to IMUs, suggesting its greater sensitivity. The greatest agreement between the two systems was found for the difference between two minima in vertical head position in SH, while the lowest for the difference between two minima in vertical pelvis position in SS, reflecting the difficulties in assessing asymmetry of hindlimbs. Some degree of asymmetry may be clinically relevant, suggesting its regular use in training horses.

Keywords

Artificial Intelligence; Gait Analysis; Horse; Inertial Measurement Units System; Locomotion.; Lameness

Subject

Biology and Life Sciences, Other

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