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Effects of aqua-treadmill exercise on selected blood parameters and on heart-rate variability of horses.
Abstract: The objectives of the present study were to investigate the effects of Aquatraining of horses (aqua-treadmill exercise; treadmill manufactured by Equitech - L.u.S. Equipment, Warendorf, Germany) on selected blood parameters [lactic acid concentration (mmol/l), haemoglobin content (g/l)] and on heart-rate variability (HRV) [heart rate (beats per min; b.p.m.), standard deviation of all NN-intervals (SDNN; ms), normalized power of the low and high frequency band (LFnorm, Hfnorm; au), % recurrence, % determinism and ratio(corr)]. Seven horses performed six exercise tests with different work loads (walking (x = 1.56 +/- 0.08 m/s) and trotting (x = 2.9 +/- 0.13 m/s): dry, water above the carpus and water above the elbow). The standardized test-protocol was: 5 min warm-up at walk while the water was pumped in, followed by the 20-min exercise period at walk or trot, followed by a 5-min walk while pumping out the water. Blood samples were taken prior to each test at rest in the stable, as well as exactly 5 min after the end of the 20-min exercise period. Electrocardiograms were recorded during rest and the 20-min exercise period. Compared to rest, neither the chosen velocities, the two water levels, nor the dry tests led to a significant increase of the lactic acid concentration in any horse. The haemoglobin content showed a significant increase as a result of exercise. Significant differences could be found between the heart rates at rest and the six exercise tests and between the mean of the levels 'walking' and the mean of the levels 'trotting'. An exercise-induced change of HRV was characterized by a decreasing SDNN, a significantly higher LFnorm (sympathetic influence) combined with a significantly lower HF(norm) power (parasympathetic activity) and a rising degree of order (significantly higher % determinism and nearly unchanged % recurrence) and stability (significantly rising ratio(corr)) of the recurrence plot. In conclusion, the used training-protocol for aqua-treadmill exercises only represents a medium-sized aerobic work load for horses, but the different levels of burden were indicated especially by changes in HRV.
Publication Date: 2002-05-22 PubMed ID: 12019954DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0442.2002.00420.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
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 examines the effects of aqua-treadmill exercise on horses, focusing on its impact on selected blood parameters and heart-rate variability. The study found that this form of exercise represents a medium-sized aerobic workload and presents specific changes in heart rate variability.
Study Overview
- The study aimed to explore the impact of aqua-treadmill exercise on horses, specifically monitoring selected blood parameters and heart-rate variability.
- This experiment involved seven horses undergoing six different exercise tests with varied workloads, including walking and trotting under different water-level conditions: dry, water above the carpus (lower leg), and water above the elbow.
- Blood samples were taken before each test when the horse was resting and 5 minutes after each 20-minute exercise period. Also, Electrocardiograms were recorded during the rest and exercise periods.
Results of the Study
- The study found that there was no significant increase in the lactic acid concentration in any horse due to the chosen speeds, the two water levels, or the dry tests.
- There was, however, a significant increase in the haemoglobin content as a result of the exercise, indicating increased oxygen delivery to the muscles.
- The heart rates at rest and the six exercise tests differed significantly, demonstrating that aquatic treadmill exercise impacts heart rate variability. There were also considerable differences between the average heart rates at the walking and trotting levels.
- Heart rate variability changes due to exercise were characterized by a decreasing standard deviation of all NN-intervals (SDNN), a higher normalized power of the low-frequency band (LFnorm), indicative of increased sympathetic influence, coupled with a significantly lower high-frequency band power (HFnorm), signalling reduced parasympathetic activity.
- A rising degree of order was observed, with a significantly higher determinism percentage and nearly unchanged recurrence percentage. The stability of the recurrence plot improved noticeably, indicated by a significantly rising correlation ratio.
Conclusion
- In conclusion, the aqua-treadmill exercise protocol used in the study is a moderately intense aerobic workout for horses. The different levels of strain were most notably marked by changes in heart rate variability.
Cite This Article
APA
Voss B, Mohr E, Krzywanek H.
(2002).
Effects of aqua-treadmill exercise on selected blood parameters and on heart-rate variability of horses.
J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med, 49(3), 137-143.
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1439-0442.2002.00420.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute for Veterinary Physiology of the Free University Berlin, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Electrocardiography / veterinary
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Female
- Heart Rate / physiology
- Hemoglobins / metabolism
- Horses / physiology
- Lactic Acid / blood
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Water
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Menchetti L, Iaboni M, Santoro MM, Guelfi G, Diverio S. How Do Avalanche Dogs (and Their Handlers) Cope with Physical Exercise? Heart Rate Changes during Endurance in a Snowy Environment. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jan 11;12(2).
- Nyerges-Bohák Z, Nagy K, Rózsa L, Póti P, Kovács L. Heart rate variability before and after 14 weeks of training in Thoroughbred horses and Standardbred trotters with different training experience. PLoS One 2021;16(12):e0259933.
- Santosuosso E, Leguillette R, Vinardell T, Filho S, Massie S, McCrae P, Johnson S, Rolian C, David F. Kinematic Analysis During Straight Line Free Swimming in Horses: Part 1 - Forelimbs. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:752375.
- Bukhari SSUH, McElligott AG, Parkes RSV. Quantifying the Impact of Mounted Load Carrying on Equids: A Review. Animals (Basel) 2021 May 7;11(5).
- 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.
- Greco-Otto P, Bond S, Sides R, Bayly W, Leguillette R. Conditioning equine athletes on water treadmills significantly improves peak oxygen consumption. Vet Rec 2020 Feb 29;186(8):250.
- Lenoir A, Trachsel DS, Younes M, Barrey E, Robert C. Agreement between Electrocardiogram and Heart Rate Meter Is Low for the Measurement of Heart Rate Variability during Exercise in Young Endurance Horses. Front Vet Sci 2017;4:170.
- Panzera M, Statelli A. Heart Rate Variability Spectral Analysis for Monitoring Autonomic Activation in a Donkey Involved in Animal-Assisted Therapy: A Single Subject Design During Animal-Assisted Therapy Sessions. Vet Sci 2025 Nov 28;12(12).
- St George L, Nankervis K, Walker V, Maddock C, Robinson A, Sinclair J, Hobbs SJ. A Feasibility Study to Determine Whether Neuromuscular Adaptations to Equine Water Treadmill Exercise Can Be Detected Using Synchronous Surface Electromyography and Kinematic Data. Animals (Basel) 2025 Nov 1;15(21).
- Sikorska U, Maśko M, Rey B, Domino M. Utility of Infrared Thermography for Monitoring of Surface Temperature Changes During Horses' Work on Water Treadmill with an Artificial River System. Animals (Basel) 2025 Aug 1;15(15).
- Galotti A, Eisersiö M, Yngvesson J, Lanatà A, Maglieri V, Palagi E, Baragli P. Rein tension and heart rate variability in horses: an experiment on experience. J Anim Sci 2025 Jan 4;103.
- Steinerová K, Krause A, Parker SE, Seddon YM. Exploring the effect of play on heart rate variability as a measure of positive emotional states in pigs. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1518153.
- Nankervis K, Tranquille C, Tacey J, Deckers I, MacKechnie-Guire R, Walker V, Hopkins E, Newton R, Murray R. Kinematic Responses to Water Treadmill Exercise When Used Regularly within a Sport Horse Training Programme: A Longitudinal, Observational Study. Animals (Basel) 2024 Aug 18;14(16).
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