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Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association2006; 229(12); 1940-1944; doi: 10.2460/javma.229.12.1940

Influence of exercise on thermographically determined surface temperatures of thoracic and pelvic limbs in horses.

Abstract: To determine the amount of time required for surface temperatures of thoracic and pelvic limbs in horses to return to pre-exercise temperatures after high-speed treadmill exercise, as detected via infrared thermographic imaging. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: 6 Thoroughbreds. Methods: All horses had been trained on and conditioned to use of a high-speed treadmill. Baseline thermographic images were obtained 3 days prior to exercise (baseline). Horses were exercised on a treadmill at a walk for 5 minutes, a slow trot (3 m/s) for 5 minutes, a trot (5 to 6 m/s) for 5 minutes, and a slow gallop (6 to 8 m/s) for 5 minutes, then back to a trot for 3 minutes, a slow trot for 3 minutes, and a walk for 3 minutes prior to stopping. Thermal images were obtained immediately after stopping exercise (0 minutes) and 5, 15, 45, and 60 minutes and 6 hours after stopping exercise. Ambient temperature surrounding each horse was recorded. Results: In all regions, significant differences in surface temperatures were detected between thermograms obtained before exercise and those obtained immediately after, 5 minutes after, and 15 minutes after exercise was stopped. There were no significant differences in surface temperatures between thermograms obtained before exercise and those obtained > or = 45 minutes after exercise was stopped. Conclusions: In horses, images generated via infrared thermography are not influenced by exercise-generated heat > or = 45 minutes after exercise is stopped.
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Publication Date: 2006-12-19 PubMed ID: 17173534DOI: 10.2460/javma.229.12.1940Google 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 investigates how long it takes for the surface temperatures of the legs of horses to return to normal state post high-speed treadmill exercise, using infrared thermographic imaging. The result showed significant differences in surface temperatures immediately, 5 minutes and 15 minutes after stopping the exercise, yet no significant differences 45 minutes or 6 hours following the exercise.

Research Objective

The intended goal of this research was to find out the duration it takes for horses’ thoracic and pelvic limb surface temperatures to revert back to their initial values prior to exercising on a high-speed treadmill. The research team used infrared thermographic imaging to carry out these measurements.

Procedure

  • The exercise protocol was performed on six trained Thoroughbred horses.
  • Initial thermographic images were taken three days prior to the exercise routine (baseline images).
  • The horses were instructed to perform various exercise stages: a 5-minute walk, a 5-minute slow trot (3 m/s), a 5-minute regular trot (5 to 6 m/s), a 5-minute slow gallop (6 to 8 m/s) and then sequenced back down to a trot for 3 minutes, a slow trot for 3 minutes, and a final walk for 3 minutes.
  • Thermographic images were then taken immediately after the exercise was stopped, and again after five minutes, fifteen minutes, forty-five minutes, sixty minutes and six hours.
  • The ambient temperature around each horse was monitored and recorded throughout the process.

Key Findings

Substantial differences were observed in the horses’ surface temperatures during the distinct stages:

  • There were noticeable differences in the surface temperatures of the pre-exercise and immediate post-exercise images, as well as those taken five and fifteen minutes after cessation of exercise.
  • Contrarily, no significant difference was observed between the surface temperatures of images taken 45 minutes to 6 hours post-exercise compared to those taken before the exercise.
  • In essence, the influence of heat generated from exercise on infrared thermography images of horses stopped being detectable 45 minutes after the end of the exercise routine.

Conclusion

The research showed that high-speed treadmill exercise influences the surface temperatures of horses’ legs, however, this heat effect is no longer voiced in infrared thermographies 45 minutes post-exercise stoppage. Therefore, when utilizing infrared thermograms for diagnoses or research, it’s crucial to allow at least a 45-minute time gap after physical activity.

Cite This Article

APA
Simon EL, Gaughan EM, Epp T, Spire M. (2006). Influence of exercise on thermographically determined surface temperatures of thoracic and pelvic limbs in horses. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 229(12), 1940-1944. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.229.12.1940

Publication

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
ISSN: 0003-1488
NlmUniqueID: 7503067
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 229
Issue: 12
Pages: 1940-1944

Researcher Affiliations

Simon, Erika L
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
Gaughan, Earl M
    Epp, Tammy
      Spire, Mark

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Body Temperature / physiology
        • Body Temperature Regulation / physiology
        • Female
        • Horses / physiology
        • Male
        • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
        • Prospective Studies
        • Thermography / methods
        • Thermography / veterinary
        • Time Factors

        Citations

        This article has been cited 20 times.
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