Formula One technology enables pioneering physiotherapy rehabilitation for young horse rider with broken neck

Electronic measurement technology from a F1 racing car provides objective insight into injuries to create, deliver and assess rehabilitation programmes. In addition, the technology could be used to objectively assess patients seeking benefits

A young professional horse rider who suffered a life threatening ‘hangman’s fracture’ after a serious fall, is aiming to compete at the highest level after being one of the first people to use a new physiotherapy device. The TGP Analysis device and software, invented by research physiotherapist Don Gatherer from The Gatherer Partnership, enable the physio to objectively measure and assess peak muscle force and fatigue rating to determine and administer the optimum course of physio. Using F1 electronic strain gauges that accurately measure the force, its creators believe the new device can remove much of the subjectivity of current physio practice, improving recovery times and avoiding unnecessary medication. The objective data acquired could also be used to objectively assess benefit claimants. Oxfordshire-based professional dressage rider, Thea Maxfield was bucked from her horse exactly one year ago, suffering a C2/C3 fracture that often results in death or paralysis. Renowned in the world of sports physiotherapy, Don Gatherer started treatment on Maxfield in February using his F1-derived force measurement device and proprietary software. “We can precisely measure the muscle strength, enabling us to create a safe training programme whilst ensuring forces exerting on the muscle during training are within guidelines,” says creator Don Gatherer. “We record and analyse all measurements so we can objectively assess progress.” Experience from using the technology on Maxfield and numerous elite athletes in rugby and F1, as well as trials at Edinburgh University, suggests that recovery times and performance can be significantly improved. “Previously, Thea lacked strength but combined with using our patented harness that prevents excess loads from being applied, she has improved core strength to improve posture and stability,” adds Gatherer. “This has helped to counter the left or right handedness of horses too, improving performance.” The Gatherer Partnership’s long experience of working with sports people has led him to create regimes that mirror their sports in the closest sense. Maxfield now uses a saddle horse for the training at the clinic and in the stable. “This provides the best way of ensuring the right muscles are being worked upon as opposed to training whilst standing or sitting down,” claims Gatherer. Having the data has given Maxfield the confidence to get back on the horse that bucked her, knowing that the results show in numbers that she has recovered sufficiently to safely ride again. The rate of recovery has also convinced Maxfield to compete and she expects to be competing at Prix St Georges level in 2011. Crucially, Gatherer believes that the work done has considerable potential outside of sport and is keen that objective measurement is introduced into health care and other disciplines. “The accuracy of this system couple with the analysis software enables physios to use it as a method of understanding what muscle force is actually possible. This enables the physio to ensure the right treatment is administered or, in the case of benefit claimants, data will be available to assess suitability,” concludes Gatherer. “We will soon be offering our systems so other physios will be able to offer these benefits and programmes to their patients.” About The Gatherer Partnership The Gatherer Partnership www.thegathererpartnership.com offers accurate and objective data collection, analysis and rehabilitation monitoring to the field of physical therapy, exercise and sport. Derived from motorsport technology, combined with the unique research experience of physiotherapist Don Gatherer, The Gatherer Partnership will advance the rehabilitation and conditioning of patients through the use of repeatable and measurable processes. The tools and techniques developed can benefit all sectors with particular reference to sport, medicine, rehabilitation and leisure gyms. Operating from new facilities in Norfolk, The Gatherer Partnership is also developing bespoke derivatives of its GP Harness and GP Analysis Suite to allow organisations to offer the technology to their athletes, customers or patients. Visit www.thegathererpartnership.com for more information. For further details or high res imagery, please contact Nick Bailey, nick@propel-technology.com +44 1295 724130

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