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Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition2019; 103(5); 1538-1545; doi: 10.1111/jpn.13151

Heart rate variability parameters as markers of the adaptation to a sealed environment (a hypoxic normobaric chamber) in the horse.

Abstract: Simulated hypoxic normobaric devices have been used in human beings in order to enhance endurance capacity. These devices are sealed chambers where the athletes are supposed to stay for at least 6-8 hr daily. The current research assesses the changes in time-domain, spectral and non-geometrical heart rate variability (HRV) parameters in 6 horses subjected to progressive duration periods inside of a hermetically sealed chamber. It was pursued, firstly to evaluate the intensity of the stress experienced by the animals and secondly to elucidate whether the horses might require an acclimation period before implementation of hypoxic conditions. HRV parameters were monitored for 6 days: day 0 (6-hr duration; in paddocks; basal conditions), and days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 hr inside the chamber every day respectively). During day 1 and during the first hours of days 2 and 3, compared to day 0, horses presented increased HR and SDHR values and decreased RR interval duration. SD1 values decreased on some hours of days 2 and 3, but differences with day 0 were not found on day 1. Increased SDNN, RMSSD, SD1 and SD2 values were observed on days 4 and 5. These results showed an activation of the sympathetic activity together with an attenuation of the parasympathetic activity during the days 1 to 3. Increased parasympathetic activity was found only during the first hours of days 4 and 5. Spectral parameters experienced minor variations, with increased LF and LF% during some hours of days 4 and 5. In conclusion, at least 3 days are needed to adapt the horse to a sealed environment before starting to subject the animals to hypoxic conditions. When the horses were acclimatized, however, a minor stress was detected with they spent more than 4 hr inside of the chamber.
© 2019 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2019-07-03 PubMed ID: 31268195DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13151Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 assesses how horses adapt to a sealed environment, similar to those used to enhance endurance capacity in human athletes. Parameters of heart rate variability (HRV) were monitored over a six-day period as exposure in the chamber was increased. Results suggest horses need a minimum of three days to acclimatize. Once adapted, the trainers noticed minor stress when horses spent more than four hours in the chamber.

Research Overview

  • The study was performed to assess changes in time-domain, spectral, and non-geometrical heart rate variability (HRV) parameters in horses as they adapted to a hermetically sealed chamber. The enclosed environment simulates hypoxic normobaric conditions commonly used to enhance human athletes’ endurance capacity.
  • The intention of the study was twofold: Firstly, to evaluate the stress levels experienced by the horses; and secondly, to determine whether horses require an acclimation period before hypoxic conditions are implemented inside the chamber.

Research Methods

  • HRV parameters were monitored over a six-day period with progressive increases in exposure duration inside the chamber.
  • The observation period included: Day 0 (six-hour duration outside the chamber in paddocks), and days 1–5 (with 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 hours spent in the chamber every day respectively).

Research Findings

  • On the first day, and during the first hours of days 2 and 3, it was noted that the horses had increased heart rate (HR) and standard deviation of HR (SDHR) values, and decreased RR interval duration compared to Day 0.
  • In the later days (4 and 5), increased SDNN, RMSSD (root mean square of successive differences), SD1, and SD2 values were observed, which indicated increased parasympathetic activity in the first hours of these days.
  • There were minor variations in spectral parameters, with increased low frequency (LF) and LF% during some hours of days 4 and 5.

Conclusions

  • The research concluded that horses need at least three days to adapt to the sealed environment. This is critical information for anyone planning to use this sort of training environment for horses.
  • Once the horses were acclimatized, lesser stress was detected when the duration inside the chamber exceeded four hours.

Cite This Article

APA
Muñoz A, Castejón-Riber C, Castejón F, Rubio DM, Riber C. (2019). Heart rate variability parameters as markers of the adaptation to a sealed environment (a hypoxic normobaric chamber) in the horse. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl), 103(5), 1538-1545. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.13151

Publication

Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition
ISSN: 1439-0396
NlmUniqueID: 101126979
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 103
Issue: 5
Pages: 1538-1545

Researcher Affiliations

Muñoz, Ana
  • Equine Sport Medicine Center CEMEDE, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain.
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain.
Castejón-Riber, Cristina
  • Equine Sport Medicine Center CEMEDE, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain.
  • Department of Artistic and Corporal Expression, School of Educational Sciences, University of Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain.
Castejón, Francisco
  • Equine Sport Medicine Center CEMEDE, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain.
  • Department of Animal Biology, Physiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain.
Rubio, Dolores M
  • Department of Animal Biology, Physiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain.
Riber, Cristina
  • Equine Sport Medicine Center CEMEDE, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain.
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain.

MeSH Terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Horses / physiology
  • Male
  • Oxygen
  • Stress, Physiological

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Chueainta P, Punyapornwithaya V, Tangjitjaroen W, Pongkan W, Boonyapakorn C. Acupuncture Improves Heart Rate Variability, Oxidative Stress Level, Exercise Tolerance, and Quality of Life in Tracheal Collapse Dogs. Vet Sci 2022 Feb 18;9(2).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci9020088pubmed: 35202341google scholar: lookup
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