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Pflugers Archiv : European journal of physiology1988; 411(3); 316-321; doi: 10.1007/BF00585121

Cardiovascular and respiratory responses to submaximal exercise training in the thoroughbred horse.

Abstract: Cardiovascular and respiratory responses to submaximal exercise training were investigated in 6 thoroughbred racehorses. Oxygen uptake, heart rate (HR) and arteriovenous oxygen content difference were measured during incremental treadmill exercise tests, before and after 7 weeks of treadmill training. Cardiac output during exercise was calculated by the direct Fick technique. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was increased by 23% after training, from 129.7 ml/kg/min to 160.0 ml/kg/min. The treadmill speed at which VO2max was attained increased by 19%. The increased aerobic power after training was associated with an increase in maximal cardiac output and stroke volume, a decrease in arteriovenous oxygen difference and no change in HR. There was no change in pulmonary ventilation during exercise at VO2max. Mean mixed venous oxygen content (CvO2) at VO2max before training was 2.8 +/- 1.0 ml/100 ml blood (mean +/- SE). After training the value was 8.6 +/- 1.4 ml/100 ml blood. It is concluded that the increase in VO2max after training in the horse is dependant on augmented blood flow, and is not dependant on either increased arterial oxygen content or arteriovenous oxygen content difference. Cardiac capacity to pump blood is therefore of primary importance as a determinant of increases in VO2max due to training in the horse.
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Publication Date: 1988-03-01 PubMed ID: 3380644DOI: 10.1007/BF00585121Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article investigates the effects of a 7-week submaximal exercise training regimen on the cardiovascular and respiratory functions of six thoroughbred racehorses, with the key finding that such training significantly increases the maximum volume of oxygen that a horse can use (VO2max), primarily through an augmented blood flow.

Research Method

  • The research team used six thoroughbred racehorses for their study.
  • They tested the horses’ oxygen uptake, heart rates, and arteriovenous oxygen content difference during incremental treadmill exercise tests both before and after a 7-weeks treadmill training regimen.
  • The treadmill training given to the horses was submaximal, meaning that it did not push the horses to their utmost limits.
  • Cardiac output during exercise was calculated using the direct Fick method, a well-known procedure for determining cardiac output by measuring the amount of oxygen consumed per minute relative to the oxygen content of arterial and venous blood.

Major Findings

  • After the 7-week treadmill training, the maximum volume of oxygen a horse can use (VO2max) was found to have increased by a significant 23%, from 129.7 ml/kg/min to 160.0 ml/kg/min.
  • The treadmill speed at which VO2max was achieved also increased by 19% after the training.
  • This increase in aerobic power was associated with an increase in maximal cardiac output and stroke volume (the volume of blood pumped from one ventricle of the heart with each beat)
  • There was a decrease in arteriovenous oxygen difference (the difference in oxygen content between arterial and venous blood) and no change in heart rate.
  • No change was found in pulmonary ventilation (the process of moving air into and out of the lungs) during exercise at VO2max.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The researchers concluded that the increased VO2max in horses following training is primarily due to an increased blood flow, rather than an increase in either arterial oxygen content or arteriovenous oxygen content difference.
  • This implies that the horse’s cardiac capacity to pump blood is the key determinant of increases in VO2max due to submaximal training.
  • The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how submaximal exercise training can enhance the performance of racehorses and possibly of other breeds as well.

Cite This Article

APA
Evans DL, Rose RJ. (1988). Cardiovascular and respiratory responses to submaximal exercise training in the thoroughbred horse. Pflugers Arch, 411(3), 316-321. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00585121

Publication

Pflugers Archiv : European journal of physiology
ISSN: 0031-6768
NlmUniqueID: 0154720
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 411
Issue: 3
Pages: 316-321

Researcher Affiliations

Evans, D L
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, University of Sydney, N.S.W., Australia.
Rose, R J

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Body Weight
    • Cardiac Output
    • Heart Rate
    • Horses / metabolism
    • Horses / physiology
    • Male
    • Oxygen / blood
    • Oxygen Consumption
    • Physical Exertion
    • Respiration
    • Stroke Volume

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    Citations

    This article has been cited 13 times.
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