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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.
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Publication Date: 2013-08-17 PubMed ID: 23957961PubMed Central: PMC3765425DOI: 10.1186/1751-0147-55-59Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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

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