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Home / Equine Research Bank / Bone / Exercise distance and speed affect the risk of fracture in r...
Bone2006; 39(6); 1322-1330; doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2006.05.025

Exercise distance and speed affect the risk of fracture in racehorses.

Abstract: In order to gain insight into those training regimens that can minimise the risk of fracture in athletic populations, we conducted a large epidemiological study in racehorses. Thoroughbred racehorses provide a suitable model for studying fracture development and exercise-related risk factors in physically active populations. They represent a homogeneous population, undertaking intensive exercise programmes that are sufficiently heterogeneous to determine those factors that influence injury risk. Daily exercise information was recorded for a cohort of 1178 thoroughbreds that were monitored for up to 2 years. A total of 148 exercise-induced fractures occurred in the study population. Results from a nested case-control study showed a strong interactive effect of exercise distances at different speeds on fracture risk. Horses that exceeded 44 km at canter (< or =14 m/s) and 6 km at gallop (>14 m/s) in a 30-day period were at particularly increased risk of fracture. These distances equate to ca. 7700 bone loading cycles at canter and 880 loading cycles at gallop. Fifty-six fractures occurred in the subset of study horses that were followed since entering training as yearlings, when skeletally immature (n = 335). Cohort analysis of this data set showed that, in previously untrained bones, accumulation of canter exercise increased the risk of fracture (P < or = 0.01), whereas accumulation of high-speed gallop exercise had a protective effect (P < 0.01). However, increasing distances at canter and gallop in short time periods (up to one month) were associated with an increasing fracture risk. All training exercise involves a balance between the risk of fracture inherent in exposure to loading and the beneficial effect that loading has by stimulating bone cells to produce a more robust architecture. Results from our study provide important epidemiological evidence of the effects of physical exercise on bone adaptation and injury risk and can be used to inform the design of safer exercise regimens in physically active populations.
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Publication Date: 2006-08-22 PubMed ID: 16926125DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2006.05.025Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 article presents a study regarding the impact of exercise speed and distance on the risk of fractures in racing horses. The study aims to understand how to minimize the chances of such injuries in physically active populations through appropriate exercise routines.

Research Paper Examination

  • The research takes inspiration from the need to understand ideal training regimens that could possibly minimize the risk of skeletal injuries in active populations. As a model for this study, Thoroughbred racehorses were chosen due to their intensive, yet diverse exercise programs, and homogeneous population.
  • The subjects of study included 1178 Thoroughbreds who were observed for up to 2 years. Comprehensive records of their daily exercise activities were maintained. During this observation period, 148 instances of exercise-induced fractures were observed.
  • A smaller subset of the study population, comprising of 335 horses, was monitored from their yearling stage. This subset experienced 56 fractures during the study period. The yearling stage represented a time when the horses were skeletally immature and just began their training.

Key Findings

  • The study identified a crucial connection between exercise speeds at different horses can either boost the risk or contribute to protection against fractures. It was noted that horses which covered a distance of over 44 km at a canter speed (equal to or less than 14 m/s) or over 6 km at a gallop pace (over 14 m/s) within a month exhibited a considerably higher risk of fractures.
  • When looking at the immature bones of yearling horses, the researchers found that while the accumulation of canter exercise increased the risk of fracture, a considerable amount of high-speed gallop exercise seemed to have a protective effect against fractures.
  • However, if the distances traveled at either canter or gallop speeds were increased over a short span (up to a month), the horses showed an increased risk of fractures. This is indicative of the fact that changes in training intensity over a short duration could impose undue stress on the horses’ skeletal structure.
  • The study affirmed the perpetual balance between the risk of fracture caused by exposure to loading during training and the beneficial effect that loading has by stimulating bone cells to develop a more robust architecture.

Significance and Implications

  • The results of the study provide valuable evidence of the effects of physical exercise on bone adaptation and injury risk. This knowledge can be used to inform and design safer exercise schedules for physically active populations.
  • The researchers have highlighted the counteractive impact of a sudden increase in exercise intensity, thus providing insights for trainers to avoid abrupt alterations to the exercise routines of their charges. The study also underlines the importance of appropriate loading cycles to strengthen the skeletal structure of the horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Verheyen K, Price J, Lanyon L, Wood J. (2006). Exercise distance and speed affect the risk of fracture in racehorses. Bone, 39(6), 1322-1330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bone.2006.05.025

Publication

Bone
ISSN: 8756-3282
NlmUniqueID: 8504048
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 39
Issue: 6
Pages: 1322-1330

Researcher Affiliations

Verheyen, Kristien
  • Epidemiology Unit, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, United Kingdom. kverheyen@rvc.ac.uk
Price, Joanna
    Lanyon, Lance
      Wood, James

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Case-Control Studies
        • Cohort Studies
        • England
        • Female
        • Fractures, Bone / etiology
        • Fractures, Bone / veterinary
        • Horse Diseases / etiology
        • Horses / injuries
        • Male
        • Physical Conditioning, Animal / adverse effects
        • Physical Conditioning, Animal / methods
        • Physical Exertion
        • Poisson Distribution
        • Prospective Studies
        • Regression Analysis
        • Risk Factors
        • Running / injuries
        • Running / physiology

        Citations

        This article has been cited 36 times.
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