Topic:Fitness

Analysis of current methods and Welfare concerns in the transport of 118 horses by commercial air cargo companies.
BMC veterinary research    April 26, 2024   Volume 20, Issue 1 158 doi: 10.1186/s12917-024-03999-9
Felici M, Cogger N, Nanni Costa L, Riley CB, Padalino B.Studies on equine air transport practices and consequences are scarce. This prospective study aimed to describe horse and air journey details and practices, document how horse behavior and health changed during the air transport phases, quantify the occurrence of welfare issues, and identify possible associations between horse and journey details, air transport practices, and welfare issues. Results: Data were collected from before departure to five days after arrival on 118/597 horses traveling on 32 commercial air journeys on different routes, varying in duration and conditions. Most horses ...
Reproductive traits in Pura Raza Española mares manifest inbreeding depression from low levels of homozygosity. Laseca N, Ziadi C, Perdomo-Gonzalez DI, Valera M, Demyda-Peyras S, Molina A.Inbreeding depression is a genetic phenomenon associated with the loss of fitness and mean phenotypic performance due to mating between relatives. Historically, inbreeding coefficients have been estimated from pedigree information. However, the onset of genomic selection programs provides large datasets of individuals genotyped using SNP arrays, enabling more precise assessment of an individual's genomic-level inbreeding using genomic data. One of the traits most sensitive to issues stemming from increased inbreeding is reproduction. This is particularly important in equine, in which fertility...
Respiratory oscillometry testing in relation to exercise in healthy and asthmatic Thoroughbreds.
Equine veterinary journal    January 21, 2024   doi: 10.1111/evj.14065
Racehorses may experience exercise-induced bronchodilation or bronchoconstriction, with potential differences between healthy and asthmatic individuals. Objective: To identify exercise-related lung function variations by oscillometry in racehorses, compare lung function between healthy and mild equine asthma (MEA) horses, assess oscillometry's potential as a predictor of racing fitness. Methods: Prospective case-control clinical study. Methods: Fourteen Thoroughbred racehorses (5 healthy, 9 MEA) underwent a protocol including respiratory oscillometry at rest, exercise with fitness monitoring, ...
Chiropractic effects on stride parameters and heart rate during exercise in sport horses.
Equine veterinary journal    January 4, 2024   doi: 10.1111/evj.14043
Lorello O, Rule E, Haughan J, Wang K, Niu M, Brown K, Navas de Solis C.Equine veterinarians performing chiropractic treatments are frequently asked to evaluate and treat sound horses to improve their performance and address pain associated with the axial skeleton. Studies describing the effects and mechanisms of chiropractic treatments in horses without overt lameness are scarce. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chiropractic treatments on stride rate, length, symmetry, heart rate and rider-perceived quality of the ridden work in sport horses. Methods: A blind randomised controlled trial with crossover design. Methods: Thirty-eight horses ridd...
The Postural and Body Surface Temperature Response of Leisure Horses to Lunging with Selected Lunging Aids.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI    December 20, 2023   Volume 14, Issue 1 22 doi: 10.3390/ani14010022
Mau015bko M, Sikorska U, Borowska M, Zdrojkowski u0141, Jasiu0144ski T, Domino M.Incorporating lunging into a horse's daily routine aims to enhance fitness, physical condition, and specific skills or exercises when using lunging aids (LAs). To assess the effectiveness of lunging, non-contact technologies like geometric morphometrics and infrared thermography can be employed. This study seeks to evaluate lunging efficiency based on the horse's posture and surface temperature when lunging with different head and neck positions. The study aims to determine if changes in a horse's posture correspond to increased metabolic activity, as indicated by body surface temperature. Thi...
Effect of Lactate Minimum Speed-Guided Training on the Fluid, Electrolyte and Acid-Base Status of Horses.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI    October 21, 2023   Volume 13, Issue 20 3290 doi: 10.3390/ani13203290
Titotto AC, Santos MM, Ramos GV, Adu00e3o MDS, Benvenuto GV, De Lacerda LCC, Lisbu00f4a JAN, Lacerda-Neto JC.The effect of lactate minimum speed (LMS)-guided training on horses' homeostasis is still unknown. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of an LMS-guided training program on the fluid, electrolyte and acid-base status of horses. Ten untrained Arabian horses were submitted to an LMS test on a treadmill before and after six weeks of training. The training intensity was 80% of the LMS in the first three sessions and 100% of the LMS in the other sessions. The venous blood was collected before (T-1) and after (T-2) training at rest, during and after the LMS test for lactate, pH, pCO, HCO, a...
Evaluation of fitness parameters in relation to racing results in 245 Standardbred trotter horses submitted for poor performance examination: A retrospective study.
PloS one    October 19, 2023   Volume 18, Issue 10 e0293202 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293202
In racehorses, the associations between physiological parameters obtained by exercise testing and racing results have been questioned. We hypothesized that fitness variables measured during a treadmill incremental test may be related with racing outcomes and lifetime career. Our study aimed to investigate the role of fitness parameters obtained during a treadmill test in performance evaluation and career prediction in poorly performing Standardbreds, through a retrospective review of the clinical records of 245 trotters that underwent an incremental treadmill test. Several fitness parameters w...
Effects of hyperthermia and acidosis on mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species.
American journal of physiology. Regulatory, integrative and comparative physiology    October 9, 2023   Volume 325, Issue 6 R725-R734 doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00177.2023
Davis MS, Bayly WM, Hansen CM, Barrett MR, Blake CA.Exercise is associated with the development of oxidative stress, but the specific source and mechanism of production of pro-oxidant chemicals during exercise has not been confirmed. We used equine skeletal muscle mitochondria to test the hypothesis that hyperthermia and acidosis affect mitochondrial oxygen consumption and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained at rest, after an acute episode of fatiguing exercise, and after a 9-wk conditioning program to increase aerobic fitness. Mitochondrial oxygen consumption and ROS production were measured simu...
The effectiveness of hippotherapy simulation exercises for muscle strength, disease activity and quality of life in sedentary adults with ankylosing spondylitis.
Annals of medicine    August 29, 2023   Volume 55, Issue 2 2249822 doi: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2249822
Salbau015f E, Karahan AY.Newly created systems called hippotherapy simulators (HS) mimic the primitive movements of a live horse. As they are new systems, research examining their usefulness has been well received. The aim of this study is to research the effects of HS on disease activity, quality of life and muscle strength in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Unassigned: In a prospective, assessor-blinded, block-randomized trial, 48 AS patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either HS or conventional home (CH) exercise therapy. All Participants received 48 sessions, that is 4 sessions a we...
Medical causes of poor performance and their associations with fitness in Standardbred racehorses.
Journal of veterinary internal medicine    May 6, 2023   Volume 37, Issue 4 1514-1527 doi: 10.1111/jvim.16734
Poor performance is a multifactorial syndrome of racehorses, commonly associated with subclinical disorders, which can be diagnosed by exercise testing. Objective: Describe the prevalence of medical causes of poor performance in Standardbreds unassociated with lameness, and evaluate their relationships with fitness variables measured by exercise treadmill test. Methods: Hospital population of 259 nonlame Standardbred trotters referred for poor performance. Methods: The horses' medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Horses underwent a diagnostic protocol including resting examination, p...
Exercise-related changes in the anabolic index (testosterone to cortisol ratio) and serum amyloid A concentration in endurance and racehorses at different fitness levels.
Frontiers in veterinary science    April 17, 2023   Volume 10 1148990 doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1148990
Grzu0119dzicka J, Du0105browska I, Malin K, Witkowska-Piu0142aszewicz O.Increased training loads in both human and equine athletes are generally implemented to improve their physical performance. These loads are tolerated only within appropriate training periodization with regard to recovery time. Otherwise, training overload causes failure in the systemic adaptation, which at first leads to overreaching, and progressively to overtraining syndrome (OTS). Exercise endocrinology, and anabolic/catabolic balance as an indicator of athlete performance status and OTS has continued to attract attention. In human medicine, changes in testosterone and cortisol levels, as w...
Longitudinal Training and Workload Assessment in Young Friesian Stallions in Relation to Fitness: Part 1.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI    February 16, 2023   Volume 13, Issue 4 689 doi: 10.3390/ani13040689
Siegers E, van Wijk E, van den Broek J, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan M, Munsters C.Friesian stallions have to complete a 10-week studbook approval test (70-day test) consisting of dressage and driving training for acceptance as a breeding stallion. Training response of the horses to this approval program was evaluated. External workload (EW) of 16 stallions (3.2 ± 0.4 years old) was registered during the 9 weeks preceding the 70-day test (preparation period) and during 70-day test. Ridden indoor standardized exercise tests (SET), measuring heart rate (HR) and plasma lactate concentration (LA) at walk, trot and canter, were performed in week 1 (SET-I), 6 (SET-II) and 10 (SET...
A Carnitine-Containing Product Improves Aspects of Post-Exercise Recovery in Adult Horses.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI    February 14, 2023   Volume 13, Issue 4 657 doi: 10.3390/ani13040657
Johnson SE, Barshick MR, Gonzalez ML, Riley JW, Pelletier ME, Castanho BC, Ealy EN.Strenuous exercise can cause tissue damage, leading to an extended recovery period. To counteract delayed post-exercise recovery, a commercial product containing L-carnitine (AID) was tested in adult horses performing consecutive exercise tests to exhaustion. Fit Thoroughbreds were administered an oral bolus of placebo (CON) or AID prior to performing an exercise test to exhaustion (D1). The heart rate (HR) and fetlock kinematics were captured throughout the exercise test. Blood was collected before, 10 min and 1, 4 and 6 h relative to exercise for the quantification of cytokine (1, 8, 10, ) g...
Longitudinal Training and Workload Assessment in Young Friesian Stallions in Relation to Fitness, Part 2-An Adapted Training Program.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI    February 14, 2023   Volume 13, Issue 4 658 doi: 10.3390/ani13040658
Siegers E, van den Broek J, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan M, Munsters C.Young Friesian stallions have to complete a 10-week training program (70-day test) for acceptance as a breeding stallion. Part one of this study showed that the 70-day test was too intense and led to reduced fitness. In the present (part two) study, the effects of an adapted training program were studied. Training frequency and minutes of cantering per week were lowered compared with part one. The external workload (EW) of sixteen stallions (3.4 ± 0.8 years) was monitored during the 6-weeks before testing (preparation period) as well as during the 70-day test. Standardized exercise tests (SET...
Validation of an Equine Smart Textile System for Heart Rate Variability: A Preliminary Study.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI    February 1, 2023   Volume 13, Issue 3 512 doi: 10.3390/ani13030512
McCrae P, Spong H, Golestani N, Mahnam A, Bashura Y, Pearson W.Electrocardiograms (ECGs), and associated heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) measurements, are essential in assessing equine cardiovascular health and fitness. Smart textiles have gained popularity, but limited validation work has been conducted. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare HR and HRV data obtained using a smart textile system (Myant) to the gold-standard telemetric device (Televet). Simultaneous ECGs were obtained using both systems in seven horses at rest and during a submaximal exercise test. Bland-Altman tests were used to assess agreement between th...
Changes in novel anti-infalmmatory cytokine concetration in the bood of endurance and race horses at different levels of training.
Computational and structural biotechnology journal    December 13, 2022   Volume 21 418-424 doi: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.12.016
Plisak U, Szczepaniak J, u017bmigrodzka M, Giercuszkiewicz-Hecold B, Witkowska-Piu0142aszewicz O.Several anti-inflammatory cytokines have been proposed as markers for exercise monitoring in humans such as the interleukin 1 receptor agonist (IL-ra), or interleukin 13 (IL-13). Equine athletes may be considered a model for human exercise physiology research, however there is a lack of such studies of this species. Thus, we decided to examine the changes of IL-1ra and IL-13 in serum concentration during aerobic (endurance) and anaerobic (race) exercise in horses of different fitness levels in comparison with the well-known anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 10 (IL-10). The group of endura...
Training Effects on the Stress Predictors for Young Lusitano Horses Used in Dressage.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI    December 6, 2022   Volume 12, Issue 23 3436 doi: 10.3390/ani12233436
Coelho CS, Silva ASBA, Santos CMR, Santos AMR, Vintem CMBL, Leite AG, Fonseca JMC, Prazeres JMCS, Souza VRC, Siqueira RF, Manso Filho HC....The purpose of this study was to investigate stressful responses during a 6-week training protocol in young Lusitano horses used for dressage. The hypothesis was that the proposed training protocol would improve fitness and ensure the welfare of the animals by reducing stress predictors. Nine 4-year-old horses were evaluated before (M1) and six weeks after (M2) beginning a training protocol. The training program was performed six times per week and included 40−80 min of individually intensity-adjusted preparatory exercises for dressage. For both moments, the horses were examined before (T0) ...
Free Swimming and Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage in Endurance Horses: A Preliminary Study.
Journal of equine veterinary science    December 2, 2022   Volume 120 104182 doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104182
Vinardell T, David F, Galezowski AM, Ali M, Qasim M, Massie SL, McCrae P, Filho S, Leguillette R.Swimming is used for rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and for conditioning to improve equine fitness. However, there are anecdotal reports that suggest that tethered swimming can induce epistaxis, likely secondary to exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). The objective of this observational, prospective study was to investigate if EIPH occurs during intensive free-swimming training sessions (5 × 70m) using 15 endurance horses. On tracheo-bronchoscopic evaluations following swimming, low grade mucus scores were observed, but no tracheal blood was observed. Bronchoalveolar la...
Comparison of the Effect of Dressage Rider Skill Level on Physical Fitness Parameters and Posture on an Equestrian Simulator.
Journal of equine veterinary science    December 2, 2022   Volume 121 104187 doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104187
Heidbuchel A, Van Rossom S, Molenaers N, Minguet P, Jonkers I.In dressage riding, rider posture plays an important role in the performance of the exercises. The purpose of this study was to compare physical fitness and posture on an equestrian simulator between different competitive dressage rider skill levels. Participants (ten expert and twelve novice competitive dressage riders) performed a physiotherapeutic screening test and an equestrian simulator test. The expert rider group (G2) had less variability in both left (P = .002) and right (P = .021) rein force during medium canter on the simulator compared to the novice rider group (G1). The should...
Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome affects fitness parameters in poorly performing Standardbred racehorses.
Frontiers in veterinary science    November 25, 2022   Volume 9 1014619 doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1014619
Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is a highly prevalent disorder in horses, which can be classified, based on the localization of the lesions, as Equine Squamous Gastric Disease (ESGD) or Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD). Although EGUS is recognized as a common cause of poor performance in racehorses, objective investigations about its relation with athletic capacity are lacking. Therefore, the present retrospective study aims to evaluate the associations between EGUS severity and some fitness parameters measured during an incremental treadmill test in Standardbred racehorses in trai...
Impact of Lower Airway Inflammation on Fitness Parameters in Standardbred Racehorses.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI    November 21, 2022   Volume 12, Issue 22 3228 doi: 10.3390/ani12223228
Mild-moderate equine asthma (MEA) is a common respiratory disorder among racehorses, characterized by lower airway inflammation. Although it is generally agreed that MEA causes poor performance, contrasting results have been reported about the effects of tracheal mucus and the leukocyte populations of the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) on performance. This study aims to investigate the associations between airway inflammation and fitness parameters measured during an incremental treadmill test on Standardbred racehorses. For this purpose, the clinical records of 116 Standardbreds subjected to a ...
Previous Exercise on a Water Treadmill at Different Depths Affects the Accelerometric Pattern Recorded on a Track in Horses.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI    November 9, 2022   Volume 12, Issue 22 3086 doi: 10.3390/ani12223086
Saitua A, Casteju00f3n-Riber C, Requena F, Argu00fcelles D, Calle-Gonzu00e1lez N, de Medina AS, Muu00f1oz A.During a water treadmill (WT) exercise, horses change their accelerometric patterns. We aimed to analyze if these changes persist during terrestrial locomotion. Six horses were randomly subjected to 40 min duration WT exercises, without water (WW), at the depth of fetlock (FET), carpus (CAR) and stifle (STF), with a day off between them. Before and after 30 min after WT, horses were evaluated at walk and at trot on a track with a triaxial accelerometer fixed on the pectoral (PECT) and sacrum (SML) regions. The percent of change from baseline (before WT and after each exercise session) were cal...
Physiological Demands and Muscle Activity of “Track-Work” Riding in Apprentice Jockeys.
International journal of sports physiology and performance    November 7, 2022   Volume 17, Issue 12 1698-1705 doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2022-0160
Legg KA, Cochrane DJ, Gee EK, Macdermid PW, Rogers CW.To enhance performance in race riding, knowledge of current training workload is required. The objectives of this study were to quantify the physiological demands and profile the muscle activity of jockeys riding track-work. Methods: Ten apprentice jockeys and 48 horses were instrumented with heart-rate monitors, accelerometers, and a surface electromyography BodySuit (recording 8 muscle groups: quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteal, lower back, obliques, abdominal, trapezial, and pectoral) that recorded continuously while riding their normal morning track-work. Data were extracted and time matched ...
Effect of Lactate Minimum Speed-Guided Conditioning on Selected Blood Parameters of Horses.
Journal of equine veterinary science    September 29, 2022   Volume 119 104133 doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104133
Santos MM, Benvenuto GV, Ramos GV, Titotto AC, Adu00e3o MDS, de Lacerda LCC, Lisbu00f4a JAN, Lacerda-Neto JC.During exercise, equines can suffer severe water and electrolyte imbalances depending on the intensity and duration. In this sense, conditioning aims to promote adaptations to the organism in order to maintain cardiovascular and thermoregulatory stability during exertion. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of conditioning guided by lactate minimum speed (LMS) test on the blood osmolality of horses. We hypothesized that after conditioning the blood osmolality would vary less during exercise and that LMS could be used in equine conditioning program. Ten Arabian horses were evaluated before ...
Skeletal Muscle Fiber Type Composition and Citrate Synthase Activity in Fit and Unfit Warmbloods and Quarter Horses.
Journal of equine veterinary science    September 10, 2022   Volume 118 104123 doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104123
Valberg SJ, Iglewski H, Henry ML, Schultz AE, McKenzie EC.Selective breeding and discipline specific training has led to equine breeds adept at various athletic disciplines. Breed-specific skeletal muscle adaptations have been studied in many breeds but not Warmbloods (WB). We evaluated gluteal muscle contractile muscle fiber types and citrate synthase activity (CS), a marker for mitochondrial volume density, in WB trained for dressage (second level-Grand Prix) contrasted with Quarter Horses (QH). Gluteus medius muscle biopsies from 14 unfit/18 fit dressage-trained WB and 20 unfit/16 fit reining/working cow QH were analyzed fluorometrically and fiber...
Physiological Demands and Muscle Activity of Jockeys in Trial and Race Riding.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI    September 8, 2022   Volume 12, Issue 18 2351 doi: 10.3390/ani12182351
Legg K, Cochrane D, Gee E, Macdermid P, Rogers C.Physiological parameters and muscle activity of jockeys may affect their fall and injury risk, performance, and career longevity, as well as the performance and welfare of the horses they ride. Therefore, this study aimed to quantify the physiological demands, body displacement, and electromyographic (EMG) activity of twelve jockeys riding 52 trials and 16 professional races. The jockeys were instrumented with heart rate (HR) monitors, accelerometers, and integrated EMG clothing (recording eight muscle groups: quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteal, erector spinae/lower back, abdominal external obliq...
Pulmonary Function and Aerobic Capacity Responses to Equine Assisted Therapy in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Journal of rehabilitation medicine    June 23, 2022   Volume 54 jrm00296 doi: 10.2340/jrm.v54.1085
Abdel Ghafar MA, Abdelraouf OR, Abdel-Aziem AA, Elnegamy TE, Mohamed ME, Yehia AM, Mousa GS.Idiopathic scoliosis is a common spinal malalignment that negatively impacts the respiratory system and physical conditioning in adolescents. Equine-assisted therapy comprises therapeutic horseback riding that optimizes physical performance and mobility in a range of contexts. However, the influence of equine-assisted therapy on pulmonary function remains unclear. Objective: To examine the impact of 10 weeks of hippotherapy combined with Schroth exercises on pulmonary function and aerobic capacity in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: A randomized controlled trial including 45 pat...
Association between dynamic upper airway obstructions and fitness parameters in Standardbred racehorses during high-speed treadmill exercise.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association    May 27, 2022   Volume 260, Issue 11 1343-1350 doi: 10.2460/javma.22.02.0072
To evaluate the association between the severity of dynamic upper airway obstruction (DUAO) and selected fitness parameters in Standardbred racehorses measured by treadmill test. 191 Standardbred racehorses that underwent a standardized diagnostic protocol for poor performance evaluation between 2002 and 2021 at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Milan. Horses underwent a diagnostic protocol including clinical examination, lameness evaluation, laboratory analyses, ECG, resting upper airway endoscopy, metabolic incremental treadmill test, high-speed treadmill endoscopy, postexercis...
Puberal and Adolescent Horse Riders’ Fitness during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Effects of Training Restrictions on Health-Related and Functional Motor Abilities.
International journal of environmental research and public health    May 24, 2022   Volume 19, Issue 11 6394 doi: 10.3390/ijerph19116394
The aim of the study was to analyse the fitness level of young horse riders before and after 12 weeks of training restrictions instituted due to the COVID-19 emergency. Anthropometrical measure assessment and an eight-items fitness test battery were administered to 61 puberal and adolescent female amateur horse riders. Subjects were evaluated within 3 weeks before (pre-tests) the period of training restrictions and on the first day of normal training after it (post-tests). Post-test results showed significant increases in body weight (Z: −1.732; p value: 0.001; ES: −0.157) and BMI (F: 9.91...
Associations between Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) and Fitness Parameters Measured by Incremental Treadmill Test in Standardbred Racehorses.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI    February 12, 2022   Volume 12, Issue 4 449 doi: 10.3390/ani12040449
Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) is a condition affecting up to 95% of racehorses, diagnosed by detecting blood in the trachea after exercise and/or the presence of hemosiderophages in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALf). Although EIPH is commonly associated with poor performance, scientific evidence is scarce. The athletic capacity of racehorses can be quantified through some parameters obtained during an incremental treadmill test; in particular, the speed at a heart rate of 200 bpm (V200), and the speed (VLa4) and the heart rate (HRLa4) at which the blood lactate concentrati...
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