Effect of a warm-up on energy supply during high intensity exercise in horses.
Abstract: The VO2(max) in racehorses is approximately double that of elite human athletes and the rate of increase in VO2 at the onset of high intensity exercise is much greater than in man. The kinetics of gas exchange are affected by a warm-up prior to exercise in humans, there being a greater aerobic contribution to high intensity exercise after warm-up. Our hypothesis was that a warm-up would increase aerobic energy delivery in racehorses during high intensity exercise. Thirteen fit Standardbred racehorses ran to fatigue at 115% of VO2(max) on a treadmill at 10% slope. Prior to acceleration, horses were exercised either for 5 min at 50% VO2(max) followed by 5 min walk, or walked for 2 min. Samples of expired gas were collected every 10 s during the run for determination of VO2 and VCO2 and measurement of maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD). Blood lactate concentration was measured 5 min post exercise. We found that with a warm-up, horses had faster kinetics of gas exchange and a greater proportion of their total energy requirement was supplied by aerobic sources. The aerobic contribution to total energy requirement with and without warm-up was, respectively, 79.3 +/- 1.0% and 72.4 +/- 1.7% (P < 0.01). There was also a higher MAOD (P < 0.01) in horses that had not been given a warm-up (mean +/- s.e.m. 34.7 +/- 2.6 and 47.3 +/- 2.6 mLO2eq/kg bwt with and without a warm-up respectively). However, there were no significant differences in total run time or estimated total energy expenditure between the 2 protocols. We concluded that during high intensity exercise to fatigue lasting 1 to 2 min, more than 70% of energy supply is from aerobic energy sources and that this contribution is even greater when the horses have received a warm-up.
Publication Date: 1996-03-01 PubMed ID: 8706642DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1996.tb01602.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- 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.
The research delves into the impact a warm-up can have on the energy output of racehorses during high intensity exercise. The detailed findings suggest that a warm-up session can serve to enhance aerobic energy delivery, consequently enabling more efficient gas exchange kinetics and increased energy contribution from aerobic sources during high-intensity exercise.
Objective and Hypothesis
- The main objective of this research was to explore the effects of a warm-up on energy supply during high-intensity workouts in racehorses.
- The researchers hypothesized that a warm-up has the potential to boost the aerobic energy delivery in racehorses during such high intensity exercises.
Methodology
- The research was conducted on thirteen Standardbred racehorses that were in good shape, all of whom were subjected to fatigue by having to run to at a speeds of 115% VO2(max) on a treadmill placed at a slope of 10%.
- Before the test run, horses either got a 5-minute exercise at 50% VO2(max) followed by a 5-minute walk, or a simple 2-minute walk.
- During the run, samples of expired gas were collected after every 10 seconds to determine VO2 and VCO2, and to measure the maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD).
- Concentration of blood lactate was also observed 5 minutes following the exercise.
Findings
- Horses that underwent a warm-up displayed quicker gas exchange kinetics. They also manifested more energy supply from aerobic sources as compared to horses who were not warmed-up.
- The aerobic contribution to total energy requirement for those with and without a warm-up was determined as 79.3 +/- 1.0% and 72.4 +/- 1.7% respectively (with a P value < 0.01). This suggests a substantial increase in aerobic contribution with a warm-up.
- There was a higher MAOD observed in horses that did not receive a warm-up, implying less effective energy conversion.
- There wasn’t a significant difference noticed in terms of total energy expenditure or total run-time between the two groups. This signifies that a warm-up does not influence total energy consumption or run duration, but rather its distribution among energy types.
Conclusion
- The study concludes that during high-intensity exercise lasting 1 to 2 minutes, more than 70% of supplied energy is derived from aerobic sources. This contribution is seen to increase notably if a warm-up is carried out prior to the exercise. Thus, warm-ups serve to enhance aerobic energy supply in racehorses, enabling better exercise performance.
Cite This Article
APA
Tyler CM, Hodgson DR, Rose RJ.
(1996).
Effect of a warm-up on energy supply during high intensity exercise in horses.
Equine Vet J, 28(2), 117-120.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1996.tb01602.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Carbon Dioxide / metabolism
- Energy Metabolism / physiology
- Horses / metabolism
- Horses / physiology
- Lactates / blood
- Linear Models
- Male
- Oxygen / metabolism
- Oxygen Consumption / physiology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Random Allocation
- Respiration / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Connysson M, Muhonen S, Jansson A. Road transport and diet affect metabolic response to exercise in horses. J Anim Sci 2017 Nov;95(11):4869-4879.
- Behnke BJ, Kindig CA, Musch TI, Sexton WL, Poole DC. Effects of prior contractions on muscle microvascular oxygen pressure at onset of subsequent contractions. J Physiol 2002 Mar 15;539(Pt 3):927-34.
- Frippiat T, Votion DM. Warm-Up Strategies and Effects on Performance in Racing Horses and Sport Horses Competing in Olympic Disciplines. Animals (Basel) 2024 Mar 19;14(6).
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
