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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Training the equine respiratory muscles: Inspiratory muscle ...
Equine veterinary journal2022; 55(2); 306-314; doi: 10.1111/evj.13606

Training the equine respiratory muscles: Inspiratory muscle strength.

Abstract: Little is known about the response of the equine respiratory muscles to training. Objective: To measure an index of inspiratory muscle strength (IMSi) before and after a period of conventional exercise training (phase 1) and inspiratory muscle training (IMT), comparing high-load (treatment) and low-load (control) groups (phase 2). Methods: Prospective randomised controlled trial. Methods: Phase 1: Twenty National Hunt Thoroughbred racehorses performed an inspiratory muscle strength test (IMST) twice on two occasions; when unfit at timepoint A (July), and when race fit at timepoint B (October). Phase 2: Thirty-five Thoroughbred racehorses at race fitness were randomly assigned into a high-load (treatment, n = 20) or low-load (control, n = 15) IMT group. The high-load group followed an IMT protocol that gradually increased the inspiratory pressure applied every 4 days. The low-load group underwent sham IMT with a low training load. The IMT was performed 5 days/week for 10 weeks. The IMST was performed twice on two occasions, timepoint B (October) and timepoint C (January). Conventional exercise training and racing continued during the study period. The peak IMSi values obtained from the different groups at timepoints A, B and C were compared using a Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. Results: Phase 1: There was a significant increase in IMSi from timepoint A: 22.5 cmH O (21-25) to timepoint B: 26 cmH O (24-30) (p = 0.015). Phase 2: From timepoint B to C there was a significant increase in IMSi for the high-load group 34 cmH O (28-36) (p = 0.001) but not the low-load group 26 cmH O (24-30) (p = 0.929). The peak IMSi at timepoint C was significantly higher for the high-load than low-load group (p = 0.019). Conclusions: Single centre study with only National Hunt horses undergoing race-training included. Conclusions: In horses undergoing race training there is a significant increase in IMSi in response to conventional exercise training and high-load IMT.
© 2022 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2022-07-07 PubMed ID: 35711132PubMed Central: PMC10084158DOI: 10.1111/evj.13606Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Veterinary
  • 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 article discusses a study focused on the impact of training on the inspiratory respiratory muscles of racehorses. The conclusions indicate that active race training can significantly improve the Inspiratory Muscle Strength Index (IMSi) in horses, especially when high-load inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is included.

Objective and Methodology

  • The study aimed to examine the effect of conventional exercise training and IMT on IMSi in horses. This was to understand if and how equine respiratory muscles react to different types of training.
  • The research was carried out in two phases and followed a prospective randomised controlled trial format.
  • In phase 1: Twenty National Hunt Thoroughbred racehorses had their IMSi measured twice; once when unfit (timepoint A) and once when race fit (timepoint B) after experiencing regular training.
  • In phase 2: Thirty-five race-fit Thoroughbred racehorses were split into two groups. The high-load (treatment) group followed an IMT protocol that gradually increased the inspiratory pressure applied every 4 days, while the low-load (control) group underwent sham IMT with a reduced training load. The study continued for 10 weeks, with IMSi measurements taken at the beginning (timepoint B) and end (timepoint C).
  • During both phases, conventional exercise training and racing continued as per normal.

Results

  • Phase 1 resulted in a significant increase in IMSi from timepoint A to timepoint B, demonstrating that conventional exercise training improves IMSi.
  • During phase 2, the high-load group showed a significant increase in IMSi from timepoint B to C, but the low-load group did not experience such improvements.
  • The peak IMSi at timepoint C was significantly higher for the high-load group than the low-load group, indicating that high-load IMT contributes more to IMSi improvement than low-load IMT.

Conclusions

  • The study found that race training significantly boosts IMSi in horses, which confirms that the equine respiratory muscles respond positively to exercise.
  • Furthermore, the research revealed that the high-load IMT method effectively enhances IMSi, highlighting the importance of periodic high-load training on horses’ respiratory performance.
  • The study is limited in that it only involved National Hunt horses undergoing race training at one facility, which may affect the applicability of the findings other breeds and training styles.

Cite This Article

APA
Fitzharris LE, Hezzell MJ, McConnell AK, Allen KJ. (2022). Training the equine respiratory muscles: Inspiratory muscle strength. Equine Vet J, 55(2), 306-314. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13606

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 55
Issue: 2
Pages: 306-314

Researcher Affiliations

Fitzharris, Laura E
  • Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol, UK.
Hezzell, Melanie J
  • Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol, UK.
McConnell, Alison K
  • Independent Consultant, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.
Allen, Kate J
  • Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Breathing Exercises / methods
  • Breathing Exercises / veterinary
  • Prospective Studies
  • Inhalation / physiology
  • Respiratory Muscles / physiology
  • Muscle Strength / physiology

Grant Funding

  • CS022 / Horserace Betting Levy Board

Conflict of Interest Statement

None of the authors has any financial or personal relationship that could inappropriately influence the bias of the content of the paper. Alison K. McConnell has previously developed two commercial devices for IMT in human subjects but no longer has any financial interest in either product; she has also authored two books on the topic.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Yan L, Wang X, Du K, Liang Y. Effect of inspiratory muscle training on hypoxemia in obese patients undergoing painless gastroscopy: protocol for a single-center, double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023;10:1269486.
    doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1269486pubmed: 37790126google scholar: lookup
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