FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Acta Vet Scand / Physiological responses of young thoroughbred horses to inte...
Acta veterinaria Scandinavica2013; 55(1); 59; doi: 10.1186/1751-0147-55-59

Physiological responses of young thoroughbred horses to intermittent high-intensity treadmill training.

Abstract: Training of young Thoroughbred horses must balance development of cardiopulmonary function and aerobic capacity with loading of the musculoskeletal system that can potentially cause structural damage and/or lameness. High-speed equine treadmills are sometimes used to supplement exercise on a track in the training of young Thoroughbreds because the horse can run at high speeds but without the added weight of a rider. We tested the hypothesis that intermittent high-intensity exercise on a treadmill of young Thoroughbred horses entering training can enhance development of aerobic capacity (VO2max) and running performance more than conventional training under saddle, and do so without causing lameness. Results: Twelve yearling Thoroughbreds trained for 8 months with conventional riding (C) only, conventional riding plus a short (2 month, S) interval of once-per-week high-intensity treadmill exercise, or a long (8 month, L) interval of once-per-week high-intensity treadmill exercise. Three treadmill exercise tests evaluated VO2max, oxygen transport and running performance variables in June of the yearling year (only for L), October of the yearling year and April of the 2-year-old year. No horses experienced lameness during the study. Aerobic capacity increased in all groups after training. In both October and April, VO2max in L was higher than in C, but did not differ between L and S or S and C. Running speeds eliciting VO2max also increased in all groups after training, with S (809±3 m/s) and L (804±9 m/s) higher than C (764±27 m/s). Maximum heart rate decreased for all groups after training. Hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration increased for L throughout training. Conclusions: Young Thoroughbred horses can increase aerobic capacity and running performance more than by strictly using track training under saddle with the addition of intermittent high-intensity treadmill exercise, and they can do so without experiencing lameness. This finding suggests that young racehorses might be able to achieve higher aerobic fitness during training without subjecting their musculoskeletal systems to increased loading and risk of developing lameness. The findings of this preliminary study do not indicate a specific protocol to best achieve this goal.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2013-08-17 PubMed ID: 23957961PubMed Central: PMC3765425DOI: 10.1186/1751-0147-55-59Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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 is about the effects of high-intensity treadmill training on young thoroughbred horses, examining whether such training can improve aerobic capacity and running performance without causing lameness.

Objective and Hypothesis of the Study

  • The study sought to examine the impact of high-intensity treadmill exercise on young Thoroughbred horses, assessing if it could enhance ergonomic performance and aerobic capacity more effectively than conventional saddle training, and notably, without inducing lameness.
  • The hypothesis was that intermittent high-intensity treadmill exercise can improve aerobic capacity (VO2max) and running performance in young Thoroughbred horses more than traditional under-saddle training can without causing lameness.

Methodology

  • Twelve yearling Thoroughbreds were trained for eight months with either only conventional riding (C), conventional riding with a short interval of once-per-week high-intensity treadmill exercise (S), or a long interval of once-per-week high-intensity treadmill exercise (L).
  • The researchers conducted three treadmill exercise tests to evaluate VO2max, oxygen transport, and running performance variables in June, October, and April.

Key Findings

  • No horses showed signs of lameness during the study.
  • All training groups saw an improvement in aerobic capacity after the training period.
  • In both October and April, the L group had a higher VO2max than the C group, but there was no significant difference between the L and S groups or the S and C groups.
  • Running speeds at VO2max also improved in all groups post-training, with higher speeds in the S and L groups than the C group.
  • Maximum heart rate decreased in all groups after the training period.
  • There was an increase in hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration in the L group throughout the training period.

Conclusions

  • The study found that young Thoroughbred horses could increase their aerobic capacity and running performance more efficiently by adding intermittent high-intensity treadmill exercise to their training regime, without the risk of lameness.
  • The research suggests that young racehorses could potentially attain a higher level of aerobic fitness by combining treadmill exercise with their track training without exposing their musculoskeletal systems to increased loading and risk of lameness.
  • The study, however, does not specify an optimal protocol for implementing the treadmill exercise.

Cite This Article

APA
Ohmura H, Matsui A, Hada T, Jones JH. (2013). Physiological responses of young thoroughbred horses to intermittent high-intensity treadmill training. Acta Vet Scand, 55(1), 59. https://doi.org/10.1186/1751-0147-55-59

Publication

Acta veterinaria Scandinavica
ISSN: 1751-0147
NlmUniqueID: 0370400
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 55
Issue: 1
Pages: 59

Researcher Affiliations

Ohmura, Hajime
    Matsui, Akira
      Hada, Tetsuro
        Jones, James H

          MeSH Terms

          • Aging
          • Animals
          • Heart Rate / physiology
          • Horses / blood
          • Horses / physiology
          • Lactates / blood
          • Oxygen / blood
          • Physical Conditioning, Animal / methods
          • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
          • Running / physiology
          • Time Factors

          References

          This article includes 30 references
          1. Evans DL. Training thoroughbred racehorses. The Athletic Horse 1994; pp. 393–397.
          2. Jones JH, Longworth KE, Lindholm A, Conley KE, Karas RH, Kayar SR, Taylor CR. Oxygen transport during exercise in large mammals. I. Adaptive variation in oxygen demand.. J Appl Physiol (1985) 1989 Aug;67(2):862-70.
            pubmed: 2793686doi: 10.1152/jappl.1989.67.2.862google scholar: lookup
          3. Birks EK, Jones JH, Berry JD. Plasma lactate kinetics in exercising horses. Equine Exercise Physiology 3 1991; pp. 179–187.
          4. Fedak MA, Rome L, Seeherman HJ. One-step N2-dilution technique for calibrating open-circuit VO2 measuring systems.. J Appl Physiol Respir Environ Exerc Physiol 1981 Sep;51(3):772-6.
            pubmed: 7327980doi: 10.1152/jappl.1981.51.3.772google scholar: lookup
          5. Persson SGB. Evaluation of exercise tolerance and fitness in the performance horse. Equine Exercise Physiology 1983; pp. 441–457.
          6. Ohmura H, Mukai K, Takahashi T, Matsui A, Hiraga A, Jones JH. Comparison of net anaerobic energy utilisation estimated by plasma lactate accumulation rate and accumulated oxygen deficit in Thoroughbred horses.. Equine Vet J Suppl 2010 Nov;(38):62-9.
            pubmed: 21058984doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00261.xgoogle scholar: lookup
          7. Rubin CT, Lanyon LE. Kappa Delta Award paper. Osteoregulatory nature of mechanical stimuli: function as a determinant for adaptive remodeling in bone.. J Orthop Res 1987;5(2):300-10.
            doi: 10.1002/jor.1100050217pubmed: 3572599google scholar: lookup
          8. Bayly WM, Grant BD, Breeze RG, Kramer JW. The effects of maximal exercise on acid–base balance and arterial blood gas tension in thoroughbred horses. Equine Exercise Physiology 1983; pp. 400–407.
          9. Persson SGB, Essen-Gustavsson B, Lindholm A, McMiken D, Thornton JR. Cardiorespiratory and metabolic effects of training of standardbred yearlings. Equine Exercise Physiology 1983; pp. 458–469.
          10. Thomas DP, Fregin GF, Gerber NH, Ailes NB. Effects of training on cardiorespiratory function in the horse.. Am J Physiol 1983 Aug;245(2):R160-5.
            pubmed: 6881374doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.1983.245.2.r160google scholar: lookup
          11. Thornton JR, Essen-Gustavsson B, Lindholm A, McMiken D, Persson S. Effects of training and detraining on oxygen uptake, cardiac output, blood gas tensions, pH and lactate concentrations during and after exercise in the horse. Equine Exercise Physiology 1983; pp. 470–486.
          12. Evans DL, Rose RJ. Cardiovascular and respiratory responses to submaximal exercise training in the thoroughbred horse.. Pflugers Arch 1988 Mar;411(3):316-21.
            doi: 10.1007/BF00585121pubmed: 3380644google scholar: lookup
          13. Evans DL, Rose RJ. Maximum oxygen uptake in racehorses: changes with training state and prediction from submaximal cardiorespiratory measurements. Equine Exercise Physiology 2 1987; pp. 52–67.
          14. Knight PK, Sinha AK, Rose RJ. Effects of training intensity on maximum oxygen uptake. Equine Exercise Physiology 3 1991; pp. 77–82.
          15. Seeherman HJ, Morris EA. Comparison of yearling, two-year-old and adult Thoroughbreds using a standardised exercise test.. Equine Vet J 1991 May;23(3):175-84.
            doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1991.tb02750.xpubmed: 1909234google scholar: lookup
          16. Hiraga A, Kai M, Kubo K, Erickson BK. The effect of long slow distance training on aerobic work capacity in young Thoroughbred horses. J Equine Sci 1995;6:1–6.
            doi: 10.1294/jes.6.1google scholar: lookup
          17. Hiraga A, Kai A, Kubo K, Sugano S. Effects of low intensity exercise during the breaking period on cardiopulmonary function in thoroughbred yearlings. J Equine Sci 1997;8:21–24.
            doi: 10.1294/jes.8.21google scholar: lookup
          18. Hiraga A, Kai M, Kubo K, Sugano S. The effect of training intensity on cardiopulmonary function in 2 year-old thoroughbred horses. J Equine Sci 1997;8:75–80.
            doi: 10.1294/jes.8.75google scholar: lookup
          19. Tyler CM, Golland LC, Evans DL, Hodgson DR, Rose RJ. Changes in maximum oxygen uptake during prolonged training, overtraining, and detraining in horses.. J Appl Physiol (1985) 1996 Nov;81(5):2244-9.
            pubmed: 8941551doi: 10.1152/jappl.1996.81.5.2244google scholar: lookup
          20. Ohmura H, Hiraga A, Matsui A, Aida H, Inoue Y, Asai Y, Jones JH. Physiological responses of young Thoroughbreds during their first year of race training.. Equine Vet J Suppl 2002 Sep;(34):140-6.
            pubmed: 12405675doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05407.xgoogle scholar: lookup
          21. Ohmura H, Hiraga A, Matsui A, Aida H, Inoue Y, Sakamoto K, Tomita M, Asai Y. Changes in running velocity at heart rate 200 beats/min (V200) in young thoroughbred horses undergoing conventional endurance training.. Equine Vet J 2002 Sep;34(6):634-5.
            pubmed: 12358007doi: 10.2746/042516402776180142google scholar: lookup
          22. Taylor CR. Relating mechanics and energetics during exercise.. Adv Vet Sci Comp Med 1994;38A:181-215.
            pubmed: 7801832
          23. Taylor CR, Caldwell SL, Rowntree VJ. Running up and down hills: some consequences of size.. Science 1972 Dec 8;178(4065):1096-7.
            doi: 10.1126/science.178.4065.1096pubmed: 5086836google scholar: lookup
          24. Schroter RC, Marlin DJ. Modelling the oxygen cost of transport in competitions over ground of variable slope.. Equine Vet J Suppl 2002 Sep;(34):397-401.
            pubmed: 12405723doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05455.xgoogle scholar: lookup
          25. McKeever KH, Eaton TL, Geiser S, Kearns CF, Lehnhard RA. Age related decreases in thermoregulation and cardiovascular function in horses.. Equine Vet J Suppl 2010 Nov;(38):220-7.
            pubmed: 21059010doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00259.xgoogle scholar: lookup
          26. Roca J, Hogan MC, Story D, Bebout DE, Haab P, Gonzalez R, Ueno O, Wagner PD. Evidence for tissue diffusion limitation of VO2max in normal humans.. J Appl Physiol (1985) 1989 Jul;67(1):291-9.
            pubmed: 2759955doi: 10.1152/jappl.1989.67.1.291google scholar: lookup
          27. Henderson KK, Wagner H, Favret F, Britton SL, Koch LG, Wagner PD, Gonzalez NC. Determinants of maximal O(2) uptake in rats selectively bred for endurance running capacity.. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2002 Oct;93(4):1265-74.
            pubmed: 12235024doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00809.2001google scholar: lookup
          28. Crocker GH, Toth B, Jones JH. Combined effects of inspired oxygen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide on oxygen transport and aerobic capacity.. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2013 Sep 1;115(5):643-52.
            pubmed: 23813529doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01407.2012google scholar: lookup
          29. Jones JH. Circulatory function during exercise: integration of convection and diffusion.. Adv Vet Sci Comp Med 1994;38A:217-51.
            pubmed: 7801833
          30. Jones JH. Optimization of the mammalian respiratory system: symmorphosis versus single species adaptation.. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 1998 May;120(1):125-38.
            doi: 10.1016/S0305-0491(98)00027-3pubmed: 9787782google scholar: lookup

          Citations

          This article has been cited 8 times.
          1. Siegers E, van Wijk E, van den Broek J, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan M, Munsters C. Longitudinal Training and Workload Assessment in Young Friesian Stallions in Relation to Fitness: Part 1.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 16;13(4).
            doi: 10.3390/ani13040689pubmed: 36830476google scholar: lookup
          2. Mandal S, Denham MM, Spencer SJ, Denham J. Exercise regulates shelterin genes and microRNAs implicated in ageing in Thoroughbred horses.. Pflugers Arch 2022 Nov;474(11):1159-1169.
            doi: 10.1007/s00424-022-02745-0pubmed: 36085194google scholar: lookup
          3. Ohmura H, Mukai K, Takahashi Y, Takahashi T. Metabolomic analysis of skeletal muscle before and after strenuous exercise to fatigue.. Sci Rep 2021 May 27;11(1):11261.
            doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-90834-ypubmed: 34045613google scholar: lookup
          4. de Meeûs d'Argenteuil C, Boshuizen B, Oosterlinck M, van de Winkel D, De Spiegelaere W, de Bruijn CM, Goethals K, Vanderperren K, Delesalle CJG. Flexibility of equine bioenergetics and muscle plasticity in response to different types of training: An integrative approach, questioning existing paradigms.. PLoS One 2021;16(4):e0249922.
            doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249922pubmed: 33848308google scholar: lookup
          5. Ohmura H, Mukai K, Matsui A, Takahashi T, Jones JH. Cardiopulmonary function during supramaximal exercise in hypoxia, normoxia and hyperoxia in Thoroughbred horses.. J Equine Sci 2020;31(4):67-73.
            doi: 10.1294/jes.31.67pubmed: 33376442google scholar: lookup
          6. Ohmura H, Mukai K, Takahashi Y, Takahashi T, Jones JH. Hypoxic training increases maximal oxygen consumption in Thoroughbred horses well-trained in normoxia.. J Equine Sci 2017;28(2):41-45.
            doi: 10.1294/jes.28.41pubmed: 28721122google scholar: lookup
          7. Kang OD, Park YS. Effect of age on heart rate, blood lactate concentration, packed cell volume and hemoglobin to exercise in Jeju crossbreed horses.. J Anim Sci Technol 2017;59:2.
            doi: 10.1186/s40781-017-0126-8pubmed: 28138395google scholar: lookup
          8. Ringmark S, Lindholm A, Hedenström U, Lindinger M, Dahlborn K, Kvart C, Jansson A. Reduced high intensity training distance had no effect on VLa4 but attenuated heart rate response in 2-3-year-old Standardbred horses.. Acta Vet Scand 2015 Mar 20;57(1):17.
            doi: 10.1186/s13028-015-0107-1pubmed: 25884463google scholar: lookup
          Subscribe to our newsletter
          Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.