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Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Vet Res / Relationships between body dimensions, body weight, age, gen...
BMC veterinary research2016; 12(1); 226; doi: 10.1186/s12917-016-0846-x

Relationships between body dimensions, body weight, age, gender, breed and echocardiographic dimensions in young endurance horses.

Abstract: The heart's physiological adaptation to aerobic training leads to an increase in heart chamber size, and is referred to as the Athlete's heart. However, heart dimensions are also related to body weight (BWT), body size, growth and (in some species) breed. There are few published data on the relationships between heart dimensions and growth or aerobic training in Arabian and Arabian-related endurance horses. Therefore the objective of the present study was to describe the influence of body dimensions (body length (BL), thoracic circumference (TC), withers height (WH)), BWT, age, gender, breed (purebred Arabians, part-bred Arabians, Anglo-Arabians, and Others) and the initiation of endurance training on echocardiographic measurements in competition-fit endurance horses aged 4 to 6 years. Results: Most left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) dimensions increased with age, whereas LA and LV functional indices did not. Although there was no gender difference for LV dimensions, females had larger LA dimensions. In terms of breed, Anglo-Arabians had the largest LV dimensions. Regression models indicated that the included explanatory factors had a weak influence on heart dimensions. Age, body dimensions, breed and gender showed the most consistent influence on LA dimensions, whereas BWT, breed and kilometres covered in competition showed the most consistent influence on LV dimensions. Conclusions: The increase in echocardiographic dimensions with age indicates on-going growth in our population of 4 to 6 year-old horses. We also observed small changes associated with the initiation of endurance training. Morphometric dimensions had a greater influence on LA dimensions, whereas LV dimensions were also influenced (albeit weakly) by parameters associated with exercise intensity. These results may therefore reflect early adaptations linked to the initiation of endurance training.
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Publication Date: 2016-10-10 PubMed ID: 27724944PubMed Central: PMC5057441DOI: 10.1186/s12917-016-0846-xGoogle 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.

This research investigates the influence of body dimensions, breed, age, and gender on the heart dimensions of young endurance horses, revealing a correlation with age and exercise intensity among other factors.

Objective and Significance of The Study

The study aims to understand the impact of various factors including body dimensions, body weight, age, gender, breed, and the initiation of endurance training on the heart dimensions in young endurance horses aged 4 to 6 years. This is significant as the physiological adaptation of the heart to strenuous exercise, known as the “Athlete’s heart”, leads to larger heart chamber sizes. The researchers hope to fill a data gap in the relationship between heart dimensions and growth or aerobic training in Arabian and Arabian-related endurance horses.

Study Methodology

  • The researchers examined the body length, thoracic circumference, withers height, body weight, age, gender, and breed of competition-fit endurance horses.
  • Different breeds included were purebred Arabians, part-bred Arabians, Anglo-Arabians, and others.
  • The impacts of these factors on different heart dimensions, specifically left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) dimensions, were studied comprehensively.

Key Findings

  • The study found that most left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) dimensions increased with age, showing ongoing growth in the population of horses aged 4 to 6 years old. However, functional indices of these dimensions did not show significant changes.
  • Weaker correlations were observed between the included explanatory factors and heart dimensions.
  • Gender differences in LA dimensions were found, with females showing larger dimensions, but there were no significant gender differences in LV dimensions.
  • Among the breeds, Anglo-Arabians had the largest LV dimensions.
  • Body dimensions, age, breed, and gender showed a more consistent impact on LA dimensions, both positively and negatively. However, body weight, breed, and kilometers covered in competition influenced LV dimensions more.

Conclusion

The study concluded that morphometric dimensions had a more significant influence on LA dimensions, while LV dimensions were influenced by factors associated with exercise intensity, in a weak but consistent pattern. The observed changes in heart dimensions reflect early adaptations linked to the initiation of endurance training in young horses. This enhances our understanding of the interplay between physical attributes, exercise intensity, and cardiovascular adaptations in endurance horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Trachsel DS, Giraudet A, Maso D, Hervé G, Hauri DD, Barrey E, Robert C. (2016). Relationships between body dimensions, body weight, age, gender, breed and echocardiographic dimensions in young endurance horses. BMC Vet Res, 12(1), 226. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-016-0846-x

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 1
Pages: 226

Researcher Affiliations

Trachsel, D S
  • CIRALE-Hippolia, Médecine Sportive, RD 674, F-14430, Goustranville, France. dagmart@sund.ku.dk.
  • Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 7 avenue du Général de Gaulle, F-94704, Maisons-Alfort, France. dagmart@sund.ku.dk.
Giraudet, A
  • Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 7 avenue du Général de Gaulle, F-94704, Maisons-Alfort, France.
Maso, D
  • Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 7 avenue du Général de Gaulle, F-94704, Maisons-Alfort, France.
Hervé, G
  • Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 7 avenue du Général de Gaulle, F-94704, Maisons-Alfort, France.
Hauri, D D
  • Office Fédéral de la Statistique, Espace de l'Europe 10, CH-2010, Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
Barrey, E
  • INRA, GABI-UMR1313, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.
Robert, C
  • Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 7 avenue du Général de Gaulle, F-94704, Maisons-Alfort, France.
  • INRA, GABI-UMR1313, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.

MeSH Terms

  • Aging / physiology
  • Animals
  • Body Composition / physiology
  • Echocardiography / veterinary
  • Female
  • Heart / anatomy & histology
  • Horses / physiology
  • Male
  • Physical Endurance / physiology
  • Sports

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