Since the ability to train the horse to be ambidextrous is considered highly desirable, rider asymmetry is recognized as a negative trait. Acquired postural and functional asymmetry can originate from numerous anatomical regions, so it is difficult to suggest if any is developed due to riding. The aim of this study was therefore to assess symmetry of posture, strength and flexibility in a large population of riders and to determine whether typical traits exist due to riding. 127 right handed riders from the UK and USA were categorized according to years riding (in 20 year increments) and their competition level (using affiliated test levels). Leg length, grip strength and spinal posture were measured and recorded by a physiotherapist. Standing and sitting posture and trunk flexibility were measured with 3-D motion capture technology. Right-left differences were explored in relation to years riding and rider competitive experience. Significant anatomical asymmetry was found for the difference in standing acromion process height for a competition level (-0.07±1.50 cm Intro/Prelim; 0.02±1.31 cm Novice; 0.43±1.27 cm Elementary+; p=0.048) and for sitting iliac crest height for years riding (-0.23±1.36 cm Intro/Prelim; 0.01±1.50 cm Novice; 0.86±0.41 cm Elementary+; p=0.021). For functional asymmetry, a significant interaction was found for lateral bending ROM for years riding x competition level (p=0.047). The demands on dressage riders competing at higher levels may predispose these riders to a higher risk of developing asymmetry and potentially chronic back pain rather than improving their symmetry
The aim of this study was to establish the optimal conditions for the culture of equine hepatocytes in a monolayer configuration. The obtained results show that the rate of MTT metabolism correlated with the number of cultured cells and a linear increase of MTT reduction rate was observed in cases when the cell density varied between 1.25 × 10⁴ to 5 × 10⁴ viable cell/well of 96-well plate. Hepatocytes reached the optimal cell attachment rate and MTT reduction at a cell density of 5 × 10⁴ cells/well. The number of attached cells to a plastic culture dish was also related to incubation time. The greatest ability of hepatocytes to attach to the culture dish was observed after 10 h of incubation and it was found to be 84.1 ± 2.5% of seeded hepatocytes. It was also found that fetal bovine serum was more efficient than horse serum for the attachment of equine isolated hepatocytes in a monolayer culture. The highest rate of cell attachment (assessed microscopically and with MTT reduction test) was observed when cells were plated with the culture medium supplemented with FBS or HS at a concentration of 5%. However, medium supplementation with higher than 5% serum concentration (10% of FBS or HS) significantly decreased MTT reduction rate. The rate of MTT metabolism and cell attachment in hepatocytes cultured in WE supplemented with FBS or HS was also dependent on the plating time and were the highest after 10 h of seeding.