Amino acid profile during exercise and training in Standardbreds.

The research article focuses on the impact of various phases of training on the amino acid concentrations in Standardbred horses. It suggests that except for aspartic acid, other amino acids don’t limit the training performance of such horses.

Research Purpose and Methodology

• The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of exercise and training – including acute exercise, regular training, and intensified training – on the plasma amino acid profile in Standardbred horses.
• The research was conducted over 32-weeks with 10 horses. The training period was split into four distinct stages, and an intensified training phase was included for five of the ten horses.
• To measure the effect of each training phase, a standardized exercise test (SET) was performed at the end of each stage.
• To note changes in the plasma amino acid concentrations, samples were collected before and after every SET.

Training and Amino Acid Concentrations

• The research found that training significantly decreased the average plasma aspartic acid concentration in Standardbred horses.
• Exercise resulted in a notable increase in the plasma concentrations of several amino acids including alanine, taurine, methionine, leucine, tyrosine, and phenylalanine.
• Simultaneously, the plasma concentrations of glycine, ornithine, glutamine, citrulline, and serine saw a reduction following exercise.

Impact of Intensified Training

• No significant difference was found between the plasma amino acid concentrations in horses that underwent normal training and those that underwent intensified training.

Conclusions

• The study concludes that amino acids, with the exception of aspartic acid, should not be seen as inhibitors of training performance in Standardbred horses. As aspartic acid concentration was observed to be significantly reduced by training, it is recommended for supplementation to maintain an optimal amino acid profile during exercise.