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Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2000; (30); 178-180; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05213.x

Influence of training on autonomic nervous function in horses: evaluation by power spectral analysis of heart rate variability.

Abstract: We studied the influence of training on autonomic nervous function in the horse. For this purpose, Holter electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded before and after training from 24 Thoroughbred horses (2-year-olds) and autonomic nervous function was evaluated by the power spectral analysis of heart rate (HR) variability. We obtained HR, low-frequency (LF) power, high-frequency (HF) power, and LF/HF ratio from recording. We set LF at 0.01-0.07 Hz and HF at 0.07-0.6 Hz. The HF power is thought to reflect primarily parasympathetic nervous function. Both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems have been shown to contribute to the LF power. The LF/HF ratio is considered as an index of the cardiac sympathovagal balance. Second degree atrioventricular blocks were found in the ECG of 3 and 5 horses before and after the training period, respectively. Ventricular premature depolarisations were detected in a horse after the training period. Heart rate decreased at night. The lowest HR values had a tendency to appear in the early morning. Both the LF and HF power tended to be higher at night. However, the LF/HF ratio was almost the same throughout the day. The HR was significantly decreased by training. Although the LF power and LF/HF ratio were significantly increased, the HF power was not changed by training. These results suggest that parasympathetic nervous activity may be fully activated even before training in this species.
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Publication Date: 2000-02-05 PubMed ID: 10659247DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05213.xGoogle 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 paper aims to examine the impact of training on the autonomic nervous system of horses. The study uses a Holter electrocardiogram and power spectral analysis of heart rate variability from 24 Thoroughbred horses before and after training.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers used Holter Electrocardiogram (ECG) to record the heart condition and activities of 24 Thoroughbred horses before and after they underwent training.
  • To evaluate the autonomic nervous function, the team performed power spectral analysis on the recorded heart rate variability of the horses.

Data Collection

  • As part of the data collection, the researchers gathered information related to the horses’ Heart Rate (HR), low-frequency (LF) power, high-frequency (HF) power, and LF/HF ratio from the ECG records.
  • The LF was set at 0.01-0.07 Hz, and the HF at 0.07-0.6 Hz for accurate analysis of nervous functions.
  • The HF power predominantly reflects parasympathetic nervous function. The LF power, on the other hand, indicates both sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activities.
  • The LF/HF ratio is an index of cardiac sympathovagal balance – an important marker of autonomic nervous tension.

Findings and Results

  • After comparing the ECG records from before and after training, the authors noticed second degree atrioventricular blocks in 3 out of 24 horses before the training, and in 5 horses after the training session. They also detected ventricular premature depolarisations in a horse after the training period.
  • The Heart rate recorded lower at night, with the lowest rates appearing often in the early morning. The LF and HF power were also higher at night, but the LF/HF ratios remained virtually the same throughout the day.
  • As per the pre- and post-training data, the overall heart rate was significantly reduced by the training. While the LF power and the LF/HF ratio significantly increased following training

    • , the HF power showed no changes.

Conclusions

  • The findings from this study imply that training significantly influences the autonomic nervous functions in horses. Even though the heart rate significantly decreased with training, the parasympathetic nervous activity appeared to be fully activated even before training in the animals.
  • Additionally, the increased LF/HF ratio after training suggests the role of training in influencing the sympathetic nervous system activities. However, the HF power, predominantly reflecting the parasympathetic activities, remained unaffected by training.

Cite This Article

APA
Kuwahara M, Hiraga A, Kai M, Tsubone H, Sugano S. (2000). Influence of training on autonomic nervous function in horses: evaluation by power spectral analysis of heart rate variability. Equine Vet J Suppl(30), 178-180. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05213.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 30
Pages: 178-180

Researcher Affiliations

Kuwahara, M
  • Department of Comparative Pathophysiology, Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Hiraga, A
    Kai, M
      Tsubone, H
        Sugano, S

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Autonomic Nervous System / physiology
          • Circadian Rhythm
          • Electrocardiography / methods
          • Electrocardiography / veterinary
          • Heart Rate / physiology
          • Horses / physiology
          • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology

          Citations

          This article has been cited 22 times.
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