Influence of training and competitive sessions on peripheral β-endorphin levels in training show jumping horses.
Abstract: To investigate the effects of training sessions on circulating β-endorphin changes in sport horses before and after competition and to ascertain whether competition would affect this response. Methods: A total of 24 trained jumping horses were randomly assigned to one of two training groups: Group A (competing) and Group B (not competing). To determined plasma β-endorphin concentrations, two pre- and post-competition training weeks at aerobic workout and two competitive show jumping event days at anaerobic workout were measured before, 5 and 30 min after exercise. Exercise intensity is described using lactate concentrations and heart rate. The circuit design, intensity, and duration of training sessions were the same for both groups. Results: In Group A, one-way analysis of variance for repeated measures (RM-ANOVA) showed significant effects of exercise on β-endorphin changes (F=14.41; p<0.001), only in the post-competition training sessions, while in Group B showed no significant effects. Two-way RM-ANOVA showed, after post-competition training sessions, a significant difference between Group A and Group B (F=6.235; p=0.023), with higher β-endorphin changes in Group A, compared to Group B. During the competitive show jumping sessions, one-way RM ANOVA showed significant effects of exercise on β-endorphin changes (F=51.10; p<0.001). The statistical analysis, in Group A, showed a significant difference between post-competition training and competitive exercise (F=6.32; p=0.024) with higher β-endorphin values in competitive sessions compared to those of post-competition training. Conclusions: Lactate concentrations seem to be the main factors being correlated with the raise of β-endorphin during anaerobic exercise of competitive events. Exercise of low intensity, as well as that one of training sessions, does not appear to stimulate a significant increased release of β-endorphin and it may depend on the duration of the exercise program. Moreover, the responses during exercise in the course of post-competition training sessions seem to be significantly different from those the pre-competition training. These data show that the preliminary competitive stress induced additional significant changes of β-endorphin pattern. It would reflect the need of a long-lasting modulation of fatigue and pain perception related to the effect of an additional physical and mental effort for the consecutive competitive and training sessions.
Publication Date: 2017-01-18 PubMed ID: 28246449PubMed Central: PMC5301181DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.67-73Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research paper explores how training and competition sessions impact peripheral β-endorphin levels in show jumping horses. The study finds that competitions cause significant changes in β-endorphin levels, with high-intensity anaerobic exercises during these competitions triggering the most changes. Such changes are associated with the management of fatigue and pain perception in these horses.
Objective and Methodology
In investigating the effects of both training and competition on β-endorphin levels in sport horses, the researchers analyzed 24 trained jumping horses. The horses were randomly divided into two groups. Group A consisted of competing horses, while Group B included non-competing horses.
- To measure the plasma β-endorphin concentrations, the researchers carried out evaluations over two weeks, both pre- and post-competition, during aerobic workout training sessions.
- The study also sourced measurements on two competitive show jumping event days, where horses underwent anaerobic workouts. These were taken before, 5 minutes after, and 30 minutes after the exercise.
- Every horse’s exercise intensity was determined using lactate concentrations and heart rate.
- The researchers maintained the same circuit design, intensity, and duration of training sessions for both key groups.
Results
The results from this study were significant and multifaceted:
- In Group A, the researchers found substantial effects of exercise on β-endorphin changes post-competition, whereas in Group B, there were no significant effects noted.
- After post-competition training, a comparison of both groups showed a significantly higher β-endorphin change in Group A.
- During competitive show jumping events, there were significant effects of exercise on β-endorphin changes.
- In Group A, there was a significant increase in the levels of β-endorphin during competitive sessions as compared to post-competition training sessions.
Conclusions
The researchers concluded various key points:
- Lactate concentrations seem to correlate with the surge of β-endorphin during the high-intensity anaerobic exercise of competitive events.
- Low-intensity exercises, such as those during training sessions, do not appear to trigger a significant increase in β-endorphin release. This outcome seems to depend on the length of the exercise program.
- Post-competition training sessions seem to produce significantly different β-endorphin responses compared to pre-competition training sessions.
- The data indicates that the stress of competition drives significant changes in β-endorphin patterns, reflecting the need for long-term modulation of fatigue and pain perception due to the additional physical and mental efforts required in consecutive competitive and training sessions.
Cite This Article
APA
Cravana C, Medica P, Ragonese G, Fazio E.
(2017).
Influence of training and competitive sessions on peripheral β-endorphin levels in training show jumping horses.
Vet World, 10(1), 67-73.
https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2017.67-73 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy.
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Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Xu Z, Zhu Y, Shen J, Su L, Hou Y, Liu M, Jiao X, Chen X, Zhu S, Lu Y, Yao C, Wang L, Gong C, Ma Z, Zou C, Xu J. Pain Relief Dependent on IL-17-CD4(+) T Cell-β-Endorphin Axis in Rat Model of Brachial Plexus Root Avulsion After Electroacupuncture Therapy. Front Neurosci 2020;14:596780.
- Cherdchutham W, Koomgun K, Singtoniwet S, Wongsutthawart N, Nontakanun N, Wanmad W, Petchdee S. Assessment of cardiac variables using a new electrocardiography lead system in horses. Vet World 2020 Jun;13(6):1229-1233.
- Ferlazzo A, Cravana C, Fazio E, Medica P. The different hormonal system during exercise stress coping in horses. Vet World 2020 May;13(5):847-859.
- White-Lewis S. Equine-assisted therapies using horses as healers: A concept analysis. Nurs Open 2020 Jan;7(1):58-67.
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