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Open veterinary journal2019; 9(1); 58-64; doi: 10.4314/ovj.v9i1.11

The bone response in endurance long distance horse.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to understand the bone response against the exercise adaptations to reduce the occurrence of orthopedic injuries in endurance horses. To this end, the objective of the present work was to investigate how the bone adaptation on adult equines that were trained for 4-5 yr to endurance races responds to the long-term exercise of moderate intensity by comparing to non-athlete horses. For this purpose, 14 Arabian horses were selected and divided equally into two groups; a control group formed by animals that had never practiced physical activity nor been tamed and an exercise group formed by athlete animals. Radiographs were obtained using a digital radiography system and penetrometer. The radiographs were stored and later processed to determine cortical bone thickness using the ProgRes® Capture Pro 2.5 (Jenoptik, Germany), cortical bone density using Adobe Photoshop CS6 (version 6.0, Adobe Systems Inc., San Jose, CA), and trabecular bone density using the Image-Pro Plus 4.1 (Media Cybernetics Inc. Silver Springs, MD). The EG presented an increase in cortical bone density and thickness compared to the control. This adaptation of the cortical bone in the exercised horses is an important factor in increasing bone resistance to exercise. These structural changes are related to a morphofunctional response by the bone tissue as a whole.
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Publication Date: 2019-03-13 PubMed ID: 31086768PubMed Central: PMC6500865DOI: 10.4314/ovj.v9i1.11Google 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 researchers conducted a study to understand the bone response to exercise in endurance horses to reduce the risk of orthopedic injuries. By comparing physically active horses with non-athlete horses, they found that long-term moderate-intensity exercise contributes to increased cortical bone density and thickness, providing greater bone resistance.

Introduction and Methodology

  • The primary goal of the researchers was to examine the impact of long-term moderate-intensity training on bone adaptation in endurance horses.
  • To conduct the research, the team selected 14 Arabian horses. They divided these equines equally into two groups: a control group of non-athlete horses that had not undergone training or physical activity, and an exercise group of athlete horses that had been trained for endurance races for 4-5 years.

Data Collection

  • The research team used a digital radiography system and a penetrometer to obtain radiographs of the horses.
  • These radiographs were later processed to determine various factors, including the thickness of the cortical bone and the density of both the cortical and trabecular bones.
  • The ProgRes® Capture Pro 2.5, Adobe Photoshop CS6, and Image-Pro Plus 4.1 software were used in these analyses.

Results and Significance

  • The results of the analysis revealed that the exercise group horses had a higher cortical bone density and thickness compared to the control group.
  • According to the researchers, this adaptation of the cortical bone in the exercised horses can significantly influence their bone’s resistance to exercise. Essentially, the physically active horses’ bone structure changed in response to their rigorous activity, leading to stronger, denser bones.
  • The study’s findings might help improve the training techniques and conditioning protocols for endurance horses, minimizing their risk of orthopedic injuries.

Cite This Article

APA
Rajão MD, Leite CS, Nogueira K, Godoy RF, Lima EMM. (2019). The bone response in endurance long distance horse. Open Vet J, 9(1), 58-64. https://doi.org/10.4314/ovj.v9i1.11

Publication

Open veterinary journal
ISSN: 2226-4485
NlmUniqueID: 101653182
Country: Libya
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 1
Pages: 58-64

Researcher Affiliations

Rajão, Mariana Damazio
  • Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), ICC Ala Sul, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília DF 70760-701, Brazil.
Leite, Carol S
  • Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), ICC Ala Sul, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília DF 70760-701, Brazil.
Nogueira, Kaique
  • Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), ICC Ala Sul, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília DF 70760-701, Brazil.
Godoy, Roberta F
  • Writtle University College, Chelmsford CM1 3RR, United Kingdom.
Lima, Eduardo Maurício Mendes
  • Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), ICC Ala Sul, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília DF 70760-701, Brazil.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Density / physiology
  • Brazil
  • Female
  • Horses / physiology
  • Male
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
  • Physical Endurance

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
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