Effect of detraining on cardiorespiratory variables in young thoroughbred horses.

The research article explores the impact of training and detraining on the fitness and athletic performance of young thoroughbred horses. The study found that maintaining moderate levels of activity during a horse’s detraining period can help to preserve its cardiorespiratory fitness.

Methodology

• The researchers trained six thoroughbred yearlings for six months using a conventional race training program.
• These horses were then detrained for 10 weeks. During the detraining period, the horses were allowed 8 hours of free range grazing per day and were kept in their stalls at night.
• The team measured the horses’ oxygen transport variables at three stages: before training, after training, and after detraining. These stages are referred to in the study as PRE, TR, and DT respectively.
• To determine each horse’s maximum aerobic capacity (VO2max) and the speed needed to reach it, the horses were put through a step-test protocol.
• The researchers also ran a steady-state run at VO2max to quantify the oxygen transport variables at each time period.

Results

• The study found that the horses’ mass-specific and whole-body VO2max, cardiac output, and stroke volume increased from the pre-training stage to the post-training stage.
• However, during the detraining phase, the mass-specific values for these measurements significantly decreased. Notwithstanding, because the horses’ body mass increased by 8.3% from TR to DT, there is zero significant change in the whole-body measurements from TR to DT.
• Essentially, these results demonstrated that changes in aerobic capacity are often accompanied by changes in stroke volume and circulatory capacity during both the training and detraining phases.

Conclusion

• The research concluded that exercising trained horses for 8 hours a day is enough to maintain their VO2max, cardiac output, and stroke volume during a 10-week detraining period.
• This implies that a young thoroughbred horse’s cardiorespiratory fitness can be maintained during a detraining period with moderate levels of spontaneous physical activity.