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Electromyographic Analysis of Muscle Activation Patterns During Bovine Transrectal Palpation and the Development of the Bovine Pregnancy Diagnosis Improvement Exercise Program
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Electromyographic Analysis of Muscle Activation Patterns During Bovine Transrectal Palpation and the Development of the Bovine Pregnancy Diagnosis Improvement Exercise Program

Annett Annandale, Geoffrey T. Fosgate, Carina A. Eksteen, Wim D. J. Kremer, Harold G. J. Bok and Dietmar E. Holm
Journal of veterinary medical education, Vol.48(6), pp.686-697
2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3138/jvme-2020-0039
PMID: 33657330
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Abstract

veterinary education bovine pregnancy diagnosis transrectal palpation training veterinary students EMG exercise program student well-being
The unusual and tiring physical activity of bovine transrectal palpation (TRP) requires a novel approach to improve students’ TRP and pregnancy diagnosis (PD) skills. It has been shown that students who participated in an exercise program and students who had a grip strength (GS) of more than 30 kilograms performed better in bovine PDs. Participation in the exercise program increased students’ sensitivity (ability to identify pregnant cows) but did not increase total arm muscle strength. To identify which muscles are used during TRPs and to improve the exercise program, an electromyographic (EMG) analysis was used to identify muscle activation patterns and muscle activity levels during bovine TRPs. Eight subject matter experts (SMEs) each palpated two live cows and one Breed’n Betsy® rectal examination simulator while an EMG Triggered Stimulator recorded muscle activity. Muscle activation was higher for forearm muscles compared with all other examined muscle groups (p < .001); was higher during retraction of the uterus and palpation of left and right uterine horn, compared with palpation of cervix, uterine body, left ovary, and right ovary (p < .001); and showed an endurance pattern. Findings have been used to modify the previously developed exercise program in effort to improve students’ TRP and PD skills. The Bovine PD Improvement Exercise Program is available to students through an online application (http://icarus.up.ac.za/vetmlp/) and aims to not only improve GS and TRP accuracy but also stamina and well-being while adding fun to busy study schedules.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

Source: InCites

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68 Record Views
1 Times Cited - Web of Science

InCites Highlights

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Citation topics
3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
3.232 Veterinary Sciences
3.232.1375 Human-Animal Bond
Web Of Science research areas
Education, Scientific Disciplines
Veterinary Sciences
ESI research areas
Plant & Animal Science
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