Effects of mild forelimb lameness on exercise performance.
Abstract: Mild lameness is considered a performance-limiting problem that may escape detection until it worsens, and is considered the primary reason for reduced racing performance. The kinematics changes associated with a lame horse at the trot have been demonstrated previously, but the metabolic cost of these alterations in their gait have not been demonstrated. Six fit Thoroughbred horses with an established VO2max participated in 4 trials using a randomised cross-over design study, separated by 10-14 days. The horses were tested with one of 4 trial conditions: lead forelimb lameness (LL); off-lead forelimb lameness (OL); bilateral forelimb lameness (BL) or no lameness (NL). Lameness was induced by sole pressure from a modified shoe that resulted in a consistent slight head nod at a trot in a straight line while jogging in hand. Lameness was adjusted to provide a lameness that would be quantified as a 1-2/5 on the grading system recommended by the AAEP. Each trial consisted of 4 different levels of exercise intensity at speeds equivalent to 30, 60, 80 and 110% of an individual's speed required to elicit VO2max. Stride parameters, oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), electrolytes, plasma lactate, glucose and PCV/TP were measured prior to exercise, at each exercise level and after exercise. A multiway ANOVA with repeated measures was utilised to examine possible effects of individual horse, lameness, and exercise intensity on measured parameters. Significance was set at alpha = 0.05. For horses exercising at the maximum intensity, VO2 was significantly lower for both of the single-leg lamenesses (LL or OL) when compared to NL or BL (mean +/- s.e. 165.6 +/- 2.5, 164.7 +/- 3.0, 175.8 +/- 2.4 and 170.9 +/- 2.1 ml O2/min/kg bwt, respectively). Blood lactate concentrations were not significantly different among the treatment groups. However, lactate accumulation rates computed as the change with time in lactate concentration at the highest exercise intensity were significantly higher for LL and OL than for NL and BL (7.8 +/- 03, 83 +/- 0.2, 4.1 +/- 0.2 and 4.7 +/- 0.3 mmol/min, respectively). Exercise intensity had significant effects on all of the measured parameters, but there were no other significant differences due to treatment. These results suggest that metabolic energy transduction is affected by even mild unilateral forelimb lamenesses.
Publication Date: 2002-10-31 PubMed ID: 12405696DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05428.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Clinical Trial
- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The study investigates the impact of mild lameness on the performance of race horses. It shows that even slight impairments in a horse’s forelimb can significantly alter their metabolic energy use, which can subsequently hinder running performance.
Study Design and Methodology
- This experiment consisted of six physically fit Thoroughbred horses with an established maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). The VO2max measures the maximum amount of oxygen the horse can utilize during intense exercise, an important factor for performance in race horses.
- The horses took part in four different trials separated by intervals of 10-14 days. The trials were administered in a randomised cross-over design to control for potential order effects.
- In these trials, the horses were assigned one of four conditions: lameness in the lead forelimb (LL), lameness in the off-lead forelimb (OL), lameness in both forelimbs (BL), or no lameness (NL).
- Lameness was artificially induced by applying sole pressure using modified shoes that caused the horses to exhibit a slight, but noticeable, head nod when trotting. This degree of lameness would be classified as 1-2/5 on the lameness scale recommended by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP).
- In each trial, horses were made to exercise at four different intensity levels corresponding to 30, 60, 80 and 110% of the speed required to achieve their VO2max.
- Data on several parameters including stride, oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), electrolytes, plasma lactate and glucose counts, and packed cell volume/total protein (PCV/TP) were recorded before, during, and after each exercise session.
- The collected data were then statistically analyzed using a multiway ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) to explore the effects of the individual horse, lameness condition, and exercise intensity on the measured parameters. The level of significance was set at an alpha of 0.05.
Main Findings of the Research
- The study found that during maximum intensity exercise, the VO2 was lower for horses experiencing single-leg lameness (either LL or OL) when compared to horses that were either non-lame or had bilateral lameness.
- However, the concentrations of blood lactate, which may indicate anaerobic respiration typically associated with high-intensity exercise, were not significantly different among the four groups.
- Interestingly, when looking at lactate accumulation rates over time at the highest exercise intensity, it was found to be significantly higher in the LL and OL groups than in the NL and BL groups.
- As might be expected, exercise intensity had significant effects on all measured parameters. However, excepting what was noted above, there were no other significant differences due to treatment (i.e., the lameness condition).
- Overall, the findings strongly suggest that even mild unilateral (affecting one limb) lameness impacts metabolic energy transduction, which could influence performance in race horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Parente EJ, Russau AL, Birks EK.
(2002).
Effects of mild forelimb lameness on exercise performance.
Equine Vet J Suppl(34), 252-256.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05428.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square 19348, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- Blood Glucose / metabolism
- Cross-Over Studies
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Female
- Forelimb / physiopathology
- Gait / physiology
- Heart Rate
- Horse Diseases / metabolism
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses / metabolism
- Horses / physiology
- Lactates / blood
- Lameness, Animal / metabolism
- Lameness, Animal / physiopathology
- Male
- Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
- Oxygen Consumption
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Pulmonary Gas Exchange
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Zetterberg E, Persson-Sjodin E, Lundblad J, Hernlund E, Rhodin M. Prevalence of movement asymmetries in high-performing riding horses perceived as free from lameness and riders' perception of horse sidedness. PLoS One 2024;19(7):e0308061.
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