Tendon structure changes after maximal exercise in the Thoroughbred horse: use of ultrasound tissue characterisation to detect in vivo tendon response.
Abstract: Investigations into the response of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) of the Thoroughbred horse to mechanical stimuli have been limited to in vitro cell culture studies focused primarily on gene expression of critical matrix proteins. It is uncertain how well in vitro outcomes translate to the tendon of the horse during exercise. The current study examined changes in tendon structure in response to maximal exercise using ultrasound tissue characterisation (UTC) to scan the SDFT prior to and after competitive racing. UTC uses contiguous transverse ultrasound images to assess the dynamics of the echopattern, which has a close relationship with changes in the 3-D ultra-structure of the tendon. Using UTC, it was possible to detect subtle changes in the dynamics of the echopattern, with a reduction in pixels that represent aligned and integer collagen tendon bundles on days 1 and 2 post-race when compared to pre-race (P<0.05). The echopattern of these tendons returned to baseline on day 3. This change in echopattern was not seen in control horses. It was concluded that short-term changes in the SDFT following maximal exercise could be detected using UTC.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2012-06-01 PubMed ID: 22658820DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.04.024Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Evaluation Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research study explores how intense exercise affects the tendon structure of Thoroughbred horses. Utilizing ultrasound tissue characterization, preliminary findings suggest significant and temporary structural changes in the tendon post-race, not observed in inactive horses.
Study Objective and Methodology
The study’s primary focus is to understand how the Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon (SDFT), a crucial tendon in Thoroughbred horses, responds to strenuous exercise such as competitive racing. Previous research had been limited to laboratory-based cell culture studies examining genetic expression in vital matrix proteins, with the real-world applicability of this research being questionable.
To evaluate SDFT changes more accurately during exercise, this study employed Ultrasound Tissue Characterisation (UTC):
- UTC is a technology that uses a sequence of transverse ultrasound images to study the dynamics of the echopattern, an echo from an ultrasound scan that reflects the internal structures of the tendon.
- The changes in the 3-D ultra-structure of the tendon directly correlate with the dynamics of the echopattern.
- The researchers performed UTC scans of the SDFT both pre-race and post-race to pick up any significant changes.
Results and Conclusion
Through UTC, the researchers identified subtle but statistically significant changes in the echopattern dynamics which indicated alterations in the tendon structure:
- There was a measured decrease in the pixels representing aligned and integer collagen tendon bundles on the first and second days post-race, which indicates some form of disruption in the tendon structure.
- The echopattern and, consequently, the tendon structure returned to normal by the third day post-race, suggesting that the changes are short-term and reversible.
- In inactive horses (the control group), these changes were not observed, indicating that these disruptions are associated with the strain of maximal exercise.
In conclusion, this study established that short-term changes in the SDFT’s structure following intense exercise could be detected using UTC. This means it’s possible to study the in vivo tendon response in horses, contributing to our understanding of how exercise affects tendon health and potentially aiding in the prevention of race-related injuries.
Cite This Article
APA
Docking SI, Daffy J, van Schie HT, Cook JL.
(2012).
Tendon structure changes after maximal exercise in the Thoroughbred horse: use of ultrasound tissue characterisation to detect in vivo tendon response.
Vet J, 194(3), 338-342.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.04.024 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Physiotherapy, Monash University, Peninsula Campus, McMahons Road, Frankston 3199, Australia. sean.docking@monash.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Species Specificity
- Tendons / diagnostic imaging
- Tendons / physiology
- Ultrasonography / methods
- Ultrasonography / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 16 times.- O' Brien C, Pegg J. A Preliminary Investigation into Ridden Water Submersion Training as an Adjunct to Current Condition Training Protocols in Performance Horses. Animals (Basel) 2021 Sep 7;11(9).
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- Leclerc M, Gauthier C, Brosseau R, Desmeules F, Gagnon DH. Changes to Biceps and Supraspinatus Tendons in Response to a Progressive Maximal Treadmill-Based Propulsion Aerobic Fitness Test in Manual Wheelchair Users: A Quantitative Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Study. Rehabil Res Pract 2021;2021:6663575.
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- Geburek F, Gaus M, van Schie HT, Rohn K, Stadler PM. Effect of intralesional platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment on clinical and ultrasonographic parameters in equine naturally occurring superficial digital flexor tendinopathies - a randomized prospective controlled clinical trial. BMC Vet Res 2016 Sep 7;12(1):191.
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