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Journal of equine science2017; 28(2); 41-45; doi: 10.1294/jes.28.41

Hypoxic training increases maximal oxygen consumption in Thoroughbred horses well-trained in normoxia.

Abstract: Hypoxic training is effective for improving athletic performance in humans. It increases maximal oxygen consumption (V̇Omax) more than normoxic training in untrained horses. However, the effects of hypoxic training on well-trained horses are unclear. We measured the effects of hypoxic training on V̇Omax of 5 well-trained horses in which V̇Omax had not increased over 3 consecutive weeks of supramaximal treadmill training in normoxia which was performed twice a week. The horses trained with hypoxia (15% inspired O) twice a week. Cardiorespiratory valuables were analyzed with analysis of variance between before and after 3 weeks of hypoxic training. Mass-specific V̇Omax increased after 3 weeks of hypoxic training (178 ± 10 vs. 194 ± 12.3 ml O (STPD)/(kg × min), P<0.05) even though all-out training in normoxia had not increased V̇Omax. Absolute V̇Omax also increased after hypoxic training (86.6 ± 6.2 vs. 93.6 ± 6.6 l O (STPD)/min, P<0.05). Total running distance after hypoxic training increased 12% compared to that before hypoxic training; however, the difference was not significant. There were no significant differences between pre- and post-hypoxic training for end-run plasma lactate concentrations or packed cell volumes. Hypoxic training may increase V̇Omax even though it is not increased by normoxic training in well-trained horses, at least for the durations of time evaluated in this study. Training while breathing hypoxic gas may have the potential to enhance normoxic performance of Thoroughbred horses.
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Publication Date: 2017-07-06 PubMed ID: 28721122PubMed Central: PMC5506448DOI: 10.1294/jes.28.41Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

This research investigates the effect of hypoxic training—training conducted under limited oxygen conditions—on the oxygen consumption capacity (VO₂Max.) of well-trained Thoroughbred horses and concludes that such a method may increase VO₂Max., hence potentially improving the horse’s performance during competitive events.

Research Context and Goals

  • The research is conducted within the context of sports applications, specifically the training of Thoroughbred horses—a breed that is well-known for its extensive use in competitions due to its high speed and agility.
  • The study aims to determine whether hypoxic training, a method originally designed to boost human athletic performance by improving oxygen consumption efficiency, has a significant effect on the VO₂Max. of already well-trained Thoroughbred horses.

Methodology

  • The researchers used five well-conditioned Thoroughbred horses that demonstrated no improvements in VO₂Max. over three weeks of extreme treadmill training under normal oxygen conditions.
  • These horses underwent hypoxic training, where they exercised under conditions with a reduced oxygen level of 15%, twice per week.
  • Pre- and post-training cardiorespiratory evaluations were carried out using analytical methods like variance analysis to measure any difference in the VO₂Max. of the horses.

Findings

  • The results demonstrated a notable improvement in VO₂Max. after the three-week hypoxic training period, from 178 ml/min/kg to 194 ml/min/kg—signifying that the horses were capable of consuming more oxygen after the hypoxic conditioning.
  • The absolute VO₂Max. value also increased post-training, showing a rise from 86.6 to 93.6 liters per minute—a significant positive increase highlighting the benefits of hypoxic approach.
  • A mild increase of 12% in total running distance was recorded after hypoxic training. However, this increase was not statistically significant.
  • No changes were noted in the horses’ plasma lactate concentrations or packed cell volumes—measures that could have pointed to other physiological changes due to the training.

Conclusion

  • The researchers conclude that hypoxic training may enhance the VO₂Max. and potentially improve the normoxic performance of well-trained Thoroughbred horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Ohmura H, Mukai K, Takahashi Y, Takahashi T, Jones JH. (2017). Hypoxic training increases maximal oxygen consumption in Thoroughbred horses well-trained in normoxia. J Equine Sci, 28(2), 41-45. https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.28.41

Publication

Journal of equine science
ISSN: 1340-3516
NlmUniqueID: 9503751
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 28
Issue: 2
Pages: 41-45

Researcher Affiliations

Ohmura, Hajime
  • Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi 329-0412, Japan.
Mukai, Kazutaka
  • Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi 329-0412, Japan.
Takahashi, Yuji
  • Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi 329-0412, Japan.
Takahashi, Toshiyuki
  • Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi 329-0412, Japan.
Jones, James H
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, U.S.A.

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Citations

This article has been cited 8 times.
  1. Davie A, Beavers R, Hargitaiová K, Denham J. The Emerging Role of Hypoxic Training for the Equine Athlete. Animals (Basel) 2023 Sep 3;13(17).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13172799pubmed: 37685063google scholar: lookup
  2. Mukai K, Kitaoka Y, Takahashi Y, Takahashi T, Takahashi K, Ohmura H. Moderate-intensity training in hypoxia improves exercise performance and glycolytic capacity of skeletal muscle in horses. Physiol Rep 2021 Dec;9(23):e15145.
    doi: 10.14814/phy2.15145pubmed: 34889527google scholar: lookup
  3. Ohmura H, Mukai K, Takahashi Y, Takahashi T. Metabolomic analysis of skeletal muscle before and after strenuous exercise to fatigue. Sci Rep 2021 May 27;11(1):11261.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-90834-ypubmed: 34045613google scholar: lookup
  4. Mukai K, Ohmura H, Takahashi Y, Kitaoka Y, Takahashi T. Four weeks of high-intensity training in moderate, but not mild hypoxia improves performance and running economy more than normoxic training in horses. Physiol Rep 2021 Feb;9(4):e14760.
    doi: 10.14814/phy2.14760pubmed: 33611843google scholar: lookup
  5. Ohmura H, Mukai K, Matsui A, Takahashi T, Jones JH. Cardiopulmonary function during supramaximal exercise in hypoxia, normoxia and hyperoxia in Thoroughbred horses. J Equine Sci 2020;31(4):67-73.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.31.67pubmed: 33376442google scholar: lookup
  6. Wang W, Mukai K, Takahashi K, Ohmura H, Takahashi T, Hatta H, Kitaoka Y. Short-term hypoxic training increases monocarboxylate transporter 4 and phosphofructokinase activity in Thoroughbreds. Physiol Rep 2020 Jun;8(11):e14473.
    doi: 10.14814/phy2.14473pubmed: 32512646google scholar: lookup
  7. Mukai K, Ohmura H, Matsui A, Aida H, Takahashi T, Jones JH. High-intensity training in normobaric hypoxia enhances exercise performance and aerobic capacity in Thoroughbred horses: A randomized crossover study. Physiol Rep 2020 May;8(10):e14442.
    doi: 10.14814/phy2.14442pubmed: 32441408google scholar: lookup
  8. Chen C, Zhu B, Tang X, Chen B, Liu M, Gao N, Li S, Gu J. Genome-Wide Assessment of Runs of Homozygosity by Whole-Genome Sequencing in Diverse Horse Breeds Worldwide. Genes (Basel) 2023 Jun 1;14(6).
    doi: 10.3390/genes14061211pubmed: 37372391google scholar: lookup
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