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Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Vet Res / Modulating effects of exercise training regimen on skeletal ...
BMC veterinary research2016; 12(1); 245; doi: 10.1186/s12917-016-0874-6

Modulating effects of exercise training regimen on skeletal muscle properties in female polo ponies.

Abstract: The match play patterns in equestrian polo are unique and require specific training programs to ensure sport performance. The effect of commonly used exercise training regimens on the adaptation of skeletal muscle is unclear. The present study investigated the modulating effects of the classic training regimen, comprised of aerobic exercise training with increasing exercise intensities and varying duration combined with match play, on the properties of muscle in polo ponies. Nine healthy adult female polo ponies were subjected to four consecutive subsets of 1 year classic training regimen including basal activity (B), low intensity (L), low to moderate intensity (LM), and low to moderate intensity training plus match play during polo tournament (LMP), respectively. At the end of each training period, gluteus medius muscle samples were taken for determination of muscle fiber type distribution, muscle metabolic capacity, capillary density, and lipid and glycogen content. The expression profile of metabolic genes including succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), phosphofructokinase (PFK), glycogen phosphorylase (PYG), and glycogen synthase (GYS) were also measured. Results: Among all exercise training subsets, only LMP exercise period caused an increase in the number of oxidative fibers (type IIa), along with increases in properties related to oxidative metabolism including high capillary density, intramuscular lipid content, and expression of SDH and PYG genes, with a corresponding decrease in the number of type IIx muscle fibers. Conclusions: The combination of low to moderate and high intensity training in LMP are only sufficient to induce changes in oxidative characteristics. As the first scientific evidence providing such insight about the classic polo training regimen, the data forms a basis for further consideration in training program design.
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Publication Date: 2016-11-04 PubMed ID: 27809906PubMed Central: PMC5095958DOI: 10.1186/s12917-016-0874-6Google 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 focuses on assessing the impact of various exercise training regimens on the muscle properties in female polo ponies. Notably, the researchers discovered that only polo training combined with low to moderate intensity exercise sufficiently induced changes in the muscle’s oxidative characteristics.

Study Methodology

  • Nine healthy adult female polo ponies were selected for the study.
  • The ponies were subjected to four consecutive one-year phases of a standard training regimen.
  • The phases were comprised of variations in exercise intensity that went from basal activity to low intensity, then to moderate intensity, and finally a combination of low to moderate intensity training and match play during a polo tournament.
  • The research team took samples of the gluteus medius muscle for analysis at the end of each training period.

Objectives of the Sampling

  • Identify the muscle fiber type distribution.
  • Determine the muscle metabolic capacity.
  • Establish the capillary density, and lipid and glycogen content.
  • Measure the expression profile of certain metabolic genes, namely, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), phosphofructokinase (PFK), glycogen phosphorylase (PYG), and glycogen synthase (GYS).

Findings of the Study

  • Only the LMP (low to moderate intensity plus tournament match play) exercise period was able to increase the number of oxidative fibers (type IIa).
  • Along with the type IIa fibers increase, related properties such as high capillary density, intramuscular lipid content, and expression of SDH and PYG genes grew as well.
  • Remarkably, the team noted a decrease in the number of type IIx muscle fibers.

Conclusion

  • The varying intensities of training and match play only made significant oxidative changes in the muscles during the LMP phase.
  • The study provides the first scientific insight into the effects of classic polo training regimen on muscle properties, providing a foundation for future considerations when designing training programs.

Cite This Article

APA
Chanda M, Srikuea R, Cherdchutam W, Chairoungdua A, Piyachaturawat P. (2016). Modulating effects of exercise training regimen on skeletal muscle properties in female polo ponies. BMC Vet Res, 12(1), 245. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-016-0874-6

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 1
Pages: 245
PII: 245

Researcher Affiliations

Chanda, Metha
  • Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Rd., Rachatewee, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
Srikuea, Ratchakrit
  • Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Rd., Rachatewee, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
Cherdchutam, Worakij
  • Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakornpathom, 73140, Thailand.
Chairoungdua, Arthit
  • Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Rd., Rachatewee, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
Piyachaturawat, Pawinee
  • Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Rd., Rachatewee, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand. pawinee.pia@mahidol.ac.th.

MeSH Terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Animals
  • Capillaries / cytology
  • Energy Metabolism
  • Enzymes / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
  • Glycogen / analysis
  • Horses / metabolism
  • Horses / physiology
  • Lipids / analysis
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / cytology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / blood supply
  • Muscle, Skeletal / chemistry
  • Muscle, Skeletal / cytology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal
  • Sports

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Citations

This article has been cited 7 times.
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