Kinetics of VO2 and VCO2 in the horse and comparison of five methods for determination of maximum oxygen uptake.
Abstract: To determine whether maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) in the horse in influenced by type of exercise test, five different protocols were evaluated in eight untrained Thoroughbreds exercised on a treadmill. With all protocols, horses were given a 5 min warm-up on a 10 per cent treadmill slope. Three protocols were at a 10 per cent slope and included: 1) increasing the running speed by 1 to 2 m/sec every 60 secs from 4 m/sec to a maximum of 12 m/sec; 2) running at 12 m/sec until fatigue; and 3) running for 3 to 4 mins at speeds ranging from 6 to 12 m/sec with rest pauses between exercise bouts. The fourth protocol employed a 24 per cent slope where animals exercised for 5 mins at 2 m/sec followed by 3 mins at 5 m/sec, and 2 mins at 6 m/sec. The fifth test involved running at 11 m/sec while the slope of the surface was increased every 2 mins until the horses could not maintain the pace. A plateau in VO2 occurred in all protocols except when exercise was performed on a 24 per cent slope. Slow speed exercise at a steep grade (24 per cent) produced the highest VO2 (P < 0.05) even though there was no plateau in the VO2. A steady state for VO2 and VCO2 existed 90 secs after the onset of exercise with all protocols which involved 2 mins or more at each speed. The VO2 and VCO2 values at all speeds of the rapid incremental exercise test were not different to those found at steady state in the third exercise protocol.
Publication Date: 1990-06-01 PubMed ID: 9259804DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1990.tb04732.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research studied how maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) in horses is impacted by different exercise tests. Five different protocols on a treadmill were evaluated on eight untrained Thoroughbred horses.
Study and Protocols
- The study was conducted on eight untrained Thoroughbred horses to determine whether the type of exercise test influenced their maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max).
- Five different exercise protocols were used, all starting with a 5-minute warm-up on a treadmill with a 10% incline.
- Three protocols kept the incline at 10%, varying speed and duration: increasing speed by 1-2 m/sec every minute, starting at 4 m/sec and topping at 12 m/sec; running at 12 m/sec until fatigue; and running for 3-4 minutes at speeds between 6 m/sec and 12 m/sec, with rest in between.
- The fourth protocol utilized a steep 24% incline, with horses exercising for 5 minutes at 2m/sec, then 3 minutes at 5m/sec, and finally 2 minutes at 6 m/sec.
- The fifth protocol involved running at 11 m/sec with the incline increasing every 2 minutes until the horses could not maintain the pace.
Results
- A plateau in VO2 (oxygen uptake), signifying maximum oxygen uptake, was observed in all protocols except the one performed on a 24% incline.
- Despite the lack of a VO2 plateau, slow speed exercise on a steep grade (24%) produced the highest VO2, significantly higher than other protocols.
- A steady state for both VO2 and VCO2 (carbon dioxide output) was found to be reached about 90 seconds after starting the exercise, in all protocols that involved exercising at each speed for 2 minutes or longer.
- The oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide output rates during all speeds of the rapidly-increasing exercise protocols were found to be similar to those at steady state during the third exercise protocol.
In summary, this study concluded that different exercise protocols have an impact on the maximum oxygen consumption in horses, with slow speed and high-gradient exercise producing the highest oxygen uptake despite the absence of a VO2 plateau.
Cite This Article
APA
Rose RJ, Hodgson DR, Bayly WM, Gollnick PD.
(1990).
Kinetics of VO2 and VCO2 in the horse and comparison of five methods for determination of maximum oxygen uptake.
Equine Vet J Suppl(9), 39-42.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1990.tb04732.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Washington State University, Pullman 99164, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Carbon Dioxide / metabolism
- Exercise Test / methods
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Heart Rate / physiology
- Horses / metabolism
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Methods
- Oxygen / metabolism
- Oxygen Consumption / physiology
- Regression Analysis
- Rest / physiology
- Running / physiology
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Bayly WM, Leguillette R, Sides RH, Massie S, Guigand C, Jones KB, Warlick LM, Thueson EL, Troudt TA, Slocombe RF, Jones JH. Equine exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage: the role of high left-heart pressures secondary to exercise-induced hypervolemia, and high inspiratory pressures. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2024 Nov 1;137(5):1359-1373.
- Frippiat T, Votion DM. Warm-Up Strategies and Effects on Performance in Racing Horses and Sport Horses Competing in Olympic Disciplines. Animals (Basel) 2024 Mar 19;14(6).
- Mercier Q, Aftalion A. Optimal speed in Thoroughbred horse racing. PLoS One 2020;15(12):e0235024.
- Lopez Sanchez CM, Kogan C, Gold JR, Sellon DC, Bayly WM. Relationship between tracheobronchoscopic score and bronchoalveolar lavage red blood cell numbers in the diagnosis of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in horses. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Jan;34(1):322-329.
- Bayly W, Lopez C, Sides R, Bergsma G, Bergsma J, Gold J, Sellon D. Effect of different protocols on the mitigation of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in horses when administered 24 hours before strenuous exercise. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Sep;33(5):2319-2326.
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