Effect of constant load training on skeletal muscle histochemistry of thoroughbred horses.
Abstract: Skeletal muscle adaptations to training of differing intensities were examined in 10 thoroughbred horses that underwent six weeks of treadmill training followed by six weeks of detraining. The horses were randomly assigned to either a slow group exercised at 40 per cent maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) or a fast group at 80 per cent VO2max. Resting muscle biopsies were taken before training, after six weeks of training and after six weeks of detraining, from m gluteus medius and m biceps femoris. Muscle was analysed histochemically for fibre type composition (myosin ATPase) and capillary supply (PAS amylase). Cross sectional area and lesser fibre diameter were measured by planimetry and image analysis. No alterations were found in the proportions of different muscle fibre types during training or detraining. Capillary density increased by 54 per cent in m biceps femoris of the fast group during training and decreased to the pretraining level following detraining. Few changes in fibre size occurred as a result of training and detraining. It was not possible to draw conclusions as to the effects of detraining because of the small number of training induced changes. The results suggest that for major adaptations in skeletal muscle, an increasing exercise intensity throughout training may be more significant than the degree of exercise load, when exercise intensity is submaximal.
Publication Date: 1993-03-01 PubMed ID: 7681605DOI: 10.1016/0034-5288(93)90050-pGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research paper investigates how different intensity levels of exercise can impact the skeletal muscle of thoroughbred horses. By comparing the differences in muscle changes between slower and faster exercising groups, this study aims to identify which level of exercise intensity might be best for these animals.
Overview of the Study
- The main goal of the study was to examine how skeletal muscle adapts to different intensities of exercise in thoroughbred horses. Ten horses were used for the study, which underwent a period of training and a period of detraining.
- The horses were divided into a slow group and a fast group, with the slow group being exercised at 40% of their maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and the fast group exercised at 80% of their VO2max.
- Resting muscle biopsies were taken from each horse before exercise, after six weeks of exercise, and after six weeks of detraining. This helped the researchers observe any changes in muscle fibers over the course of the study.
Findings of the Study
- There were no significant changes in the proportions of different muscle fiber types observed during the exercise or detraining periods of the study. This suggests that the level of exercise intensity did not induce any major structural changes in muscle fibers.
- In the fast group, the capillary density in the muscle significantly increased by 54% during the training phase, however, it reduced back to pre-training levels post detraining. This indicated a potential temporary benefit of high intensity exercise on capillary density, which reverts back upon cessation of exercise.
- The size of muscle fibers did not significantly change as a result of either the exercise or detraining. This suggests that the exercise loads used were not extreme enough to trigger a hypertrophic response in the muscle fibers.
Implications of the Study
- The results of the study suggest that major skeletal muscle adaptations may be more related to an increase in exercise intensity throughout the training phase than the degree of exercise load when the exercise intensity is submaximal.
- However, more research may be needed as the authors could not make definitive conclusions about detraining due to the minimal number of changes observed with training.
Cite This Article
APA
Sinha AK, Ray SP, Rose RJ.
(1993).
Effect of constant load training on skeletal muscle histochemistry of thoroughbred horses.
Res Vet Sci, 54(2), 147-159.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0034-5288(93)90050-p Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Adaptation, Physiological
- Amylases / metabolism
- Animals
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Histocytochemistry
- Horses / physiology
- Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
- Muscles / cytology
- Muscles / metabolism
- Muscles / physiology
- Myosins / metabolism
- Oxygen Consumption
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Random Allocation
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- de Meeûs d'Argenteuil C, Boshuizen B, Oosterlinck M, van de Winkel D, De Spiegelaere W, de Bruijn CM, Goethals K, Vanderperren K, Delesalle CJG. Flexibility of equine bioenergetics and muscle plasticity in response to different types of training: An integrative approach, questioning existing paradigms. PLoS One 2021;16(4):e0249922.
- Assenza A, Marafioti S, Congiu F, Giannetto C, Fazio F, Bruschetta D, Piccione G. Serum muscle-derived enzymes response during show jumping competition in horse. Vet World 2016 Mar;9(3):251-5.
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