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Influence of an Exercise Program, Muscle Strength, Proprioception, and Arm Length on Veterinary Students' Bovine Pregnancy Diagnosis Accuracy
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Influence of an Exercise Program, Muscle Strength, Proprioception, and Arm Length on Veterinary Students' Bovine Pregnancy Diagnosis Accuracy

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(2), pp.196-210
2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3138/jvme.2019-0043
PMID: 32758090
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Abstract

veterinary education bovine pregnancy diagnosis transrectal palpation training veterinary students isokinetic muscle strength testing
Bovine pregnancy diagnosis (PD) by transrectal palpation (TRP) is an important skill for veterinary graduates. Factors influencing students’ PD accuracy were investigated to optimize bovine PD by TRP training without increasing live animal exposure. The objective was to determine whether arm length and strength, proprioception, and exposure to a 6-week exercise training program were significantly associated with students’ PD accuracy. Veterinary students (n = 128) who had previously received formal theoretical and practical training in bovine TRP and PD (live cows and TRP simulators) were assessed for PD accuracy on live cows. Prior to assessment, arm muscle strength measurement, an exercise program, and additional TRP sessions on Breed’n Betsy® simulators and live cows were offered to the students. Seventy-eight students volunteered to participate in the arm length measurement, muscle strength, and proprioception testing. Of these, 35 randomly allocated students completed a 6-week exercise program, after which muscle strength was reassessed. Each student performed PDs on six cows of which the pregnancy status, ranging from 6 weeks to 9 months pregnant or not pregnant, was predetermined by an experienced veterinarian. PD accuracy was measured as sensitivity and specificity, being defined as the proportion of pregnant or nonpregnant cows, respectively, correctly identified by the student. It is concluded that hand grip strength and participation in an exercise program are significant predictors of veterinary students’ PD accuracy. Implementation of an exercise program aimed at improving grip strength in the veterinary curriculum is a novel approach to improve bovine TRP and PD training.

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Source: InCites

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98 Record Views
5 Times Cited - Web of Science

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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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