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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Res Commun / Comparative ergoespirometric adaptations to a treadmill exer...
Veterinary research communications2011; 36(1); 41-46; doi: 10.1007/s11259-011-9510-x

Comparative ergoespirometric adaptations to a treadmill exercise test in untrained show Andalusian and Arabian horses.

Abstract: Significant differences exist in the respiratory adaptation to exercise in different equine breeds. This research describes the ergoespirometric response to exercise of Andalusian (AN) and Arabian (A) horses, both selected according to morphological criteria. Thirteen untrained male horses (6 AN and 7 A) performed a treadmill exercise test (TET) with a slope of 6%, with workloads starting from 5 m/s and increasing 1 m/s every 3 min until the horses were not able to keep the required velocity. Tidal volume (TV), respiratory rate, minute ventilation (VE), oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide production, peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), exercise time to fatigue (ETF) and respiratory aerobic threshold (RAT) were determined. AN horses presented higher TV and VE, whereas respiratory rate, VO2 and VCO2 were lower at the same velocities. RER was similar between breeds. ETF was longer in A horses (556.7 ± 66.5 in AN vs. 607.1 ± 71.1 s in A) and no significant differences were found in RAT (5.50 ± 0.50 in AN vs. 5.86 ± 1.07 m/s in A). In summary, despite the more intense ventilatory response to exercise at the same velocity, AN horses had lower VO2. The AN horse develops a more intense ventilatory response to fixed velocities than the A horse and it could be interesting to clarify the role of the locomotion characteristics in this response.
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Publication Date: 2011-12-21 PubMed ID: 22183731DOI: 10.1007/s11259-011-9510-xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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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 investigates how two specific breeds of horses, Andalusian and Arabian, react physiologically to treadmill exercise. Factors like their respiratory response, oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide production, peak oxygen uptake, exercise time to fatigue, and more were analyzed to discern any significant differences in their responses.

Introduction and Methodology

  • The study was conducted on 13 untrained male horses, including six Andalusian horses and seven Arabian horses.
  • The focus of this study was to examine the ‘ergoespirometric’ response of these breeds. Ergoespirometry is a form of testing that measures the respiratory gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) during exercise.
  • Each horse was subjected to a treadmill exercise test (TET) with a slope of 6%. The workload for horses started from a speed of five meters per second and was increased by one meter per second every three minutes. This test continued until the horses were unable to maintain the set speed.

Key Findings & Interpretation

  • Significant differences were observed in responses of Andalusian and Arabian horses during the test.
  • Andalusian horses exhibited a higher tidal volume (TV), which refers to the amount of air the horse inhales and exhales with each breath, and minute ventilation, which is the total volume of air moved in and out of the lung per minute. In contrast, their respiratory rate (breaths per minute), oxygen uptake (VO2) and carbon dioxide production were lower during the test compared to Arabian horses.
  • The study found no notable differences in the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) between the two breeds. RER is the ratio of carbon dioxide produced to oxygen consumed.
  • Arabian horses had a longer exercise time to fatigue (ETF), meaning they could exercise for a longer duration before reaching exhaustion, compared to Andalusian horses.
  • The respiratory aerobic threshold (RAT), which is the exercise intensity at which lactic acid starts to accumulate in the horse’s blood, was found to be similar between the two breeds.

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that despite a more intense ventilatory response at the same speed, Andalusian horses had lower oxygen uptake. Meaning, even though Andalusian horses breathed harder, they absorbed less oxygen than Arabian horses. The authors hypothesize that these differences could be due to the unique locomotion or movement characteristics of these breeds.
  • These results arm potential horse trainers and veterinarians with knowledge regarding differences in responses to exercise between these breeds. It may also pave the way for further research into how differences in breed characteristics impact physiological responses to exercise.

Cite This Article

APA
Castejón-Riber C, Muñoz A, Trigo P, Riber C, Santisteban R, Castejón F. (2011). Comparative ergoespirometric adaptations to a treadmill exercise test in untrained show Andalusian and Arabian horses. Vet Res Commun, 36(1), 41-46. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-011-9510-x

Publication

Veterinary research communications
ISSN: 1573-7446
NlmUniqueID: 8100520
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 36
Issue: 1
Pages: 41-46

Researcher Affiliations

Castejón-Riber, Cristina
  • Equine Sport Medicine Centre, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
Muñoz, Ana
    Trigo, Pablo
      Riber, Cristina
        Santisteban, Rafael
          Castejón, Francisco

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Carbon Dioxide / metabolism
            • Exercise Test / veterinary
            • Horses / genetics
            • Horses / physiology
            • Male
            • Oxygen / metabolism
            • Oxygen Consumption
            • Physical Exertion
            • Respiratory Rate
            • Spirometry / veterinary

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