Effect of high intensity training on anaerobic capacity of middle gluteal muscle in Thoroughbred horses.

The research looks at how high intensity training could enhance the metabolic properties of a specific muscle in Thoroughbred horses. The results suggest that high intensity training can increase anaerobic capacity, potentially improving performance, though it must be carefully managed to avoid muscle injuries.

Research Methodology

• The study involved nine Thoroughbred horses that had already been subjected to conventional training.
• These horses were put through high intensity training for 12 weeks. The training intensity was between 80-100% Vdot;O(2)max, for 5 minutes of exercise, repeated twice.
• Before and after 4 and 12 weeks of training, muscle biopsy samples were taken from the horses. These samples came from the middle gluteal muscle, a large muscle in the hip region of the horse.
• However, three of the nine horses were unable to complete the training program.

Analysis and Results

• The researchers used biochemical techniques to analyze the activities of three enzymes in the muscle samples – succinic dehydrogenase (SDH), phosphofructokinase (PFK) and 3-hydroxy acyl CoA dehydrogenase (HAD) – as well as the composition of myosin heavy chain isoforms (different types of a protein that plays a major role in muscle contraction).
• After 12 weeks of high intensity training, PFK activity significantly increased in the muscle samples. However, there were no significant changes in SDH and HAD activity levels.
• The composition of myosin heavy chain isoforms in the muscle didn’t significantly change either.
• The increased activity of the PFK enzyme implies that the high intensity training was effective at boosting glycolytic enzyme activity. This boost indicates an improvement in anaerobic capacity, the ability of the muscle to work hard in the absence of oxygen, which can greatly enhance performance in racehorses.

Cautionary Note

• Despite these promising results, the study states that such high intensity training must be implemented with great care to prevent skeletal muscle injuries. This is likely because the intense nature of the training puts significant strain on the horse’s muscles, which can lead to injury if not properly managed.

Conclusions

• The study concludes that high intensity training can be beneficial for Thoroughbred horses’ performance by enhancing the metabolic properties of the middle gluteal muscle. However, it also draws attention to the need for careful monitoring and management of the training intensity to prevent skeletal muscle injuries.