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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Training the equine respiratory muscles: Ultrasonographic me...
Equine veterinary journal2022; 55(2); 295-305; doi: 10.1111/evj.13598

Training the equine respiratory muscles: Ultrasonographic measurement of muscle size.

Abstract: Limited information exists regarding changes in the size of respiratory and locomotor muscles in response to exercise training in the Thoroughbred racehorse. Objective: To describe and compare the responses of the respiratory and locomotor muscles to conventional exercise training and inspiratory muscle training (IMT). Methods: Prospective randomised controlled trial. Methods: Thoroughbred racehorses, in training for competition in National Hunt races, were recruited from two training establishments. Ultrasonographic images were obtained for selected muscles of the upper airway, diaphragm, accessory respiratory, and locomotor systems and their sizes measured. Examinations were performed at three timepoints: (A) when unfit, (B) following 12 weeks of conventional exercise training and (C) following 10-12 weeks continued training at race fitness. In addition, horses at yard 1 performed IMT, between timepoint B and C, and were randomly assigned into high-load (treatment) or low-load (control) group. Repeated measures models were constructed to compare the change in muscle measurements over time, and to investigate the effects of yard, previous airway surgery and IMT on the change in ultrasonographic size measurements obtained. Results: Upper airway muscle size increased in response to conventional race training between timepoints A-C, and B-C. Diaphragm size increased in response to conventional exercise training between timepoints A and B. The diaphragm size of horses that undertook high-load IMT was either maintained or increased, whereas diaphragm size decreased in horses that undertook low-load IMT or no IMT between timepoints B and C. A significant interaction between gluteal muscle size and airway surgery status was observed, with greater gluteal muscle thicknesses measured in horses that had not previously undergone airway surgery (left gluteal 3.9%, p < 0.001; right 4.5%, p = 0.04). Conclusions: Low number of horses underwent IMT. Conclusions: Respiratory and locomotor muscles increase in size in response to conventional exercise training, with a further change in diaphragm size in response to inspiratory muscle training.
© 2022 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2022-06-19 PubMed ID: 35575148PubMed Central: PMC10084327DOI: 10.1111/evj.13598Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Veterinary
  • Journal Article

Summary

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This study investigates the changes in size of respiratory and locomotor muscles in Thoroughbred racehorses in relation to conventional exercise training and inspiratory muscle training (IMT). It reveals that both types of muscles increase in size in response to traditional exercise and that the diaphragm size further changes with IMT.

Objective and Methodology

  • The researchers aimed to document and compare the impacts of conventional exercise training and inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on respiratory and locomotor muscles in Thoroughbred racehorses.
  • This study was done as a prospective randomised controlled trial, using Thoroughbred racehorses in training for National Hunt races from two different training establishments.
  • Ultrasonic imaging was used to record the sizes of selected muscles in the upper airway, diaphragm, accessory respiratory, and locomotor systems.
  • Measurements were taken at three stages: firstly, when the horses were unfit; next, after 12 weeks of conventional exercise training; and finally, following another 10-12 weeks of continued training at race fitness.
  • Some of the horses also underwent IMT between the second and third measurement periods, and were assigned into either a high-load (treatment) or low-load (control) group. Changes in muscle measurements over time were compared, and the effects of factors such as training establishment, previous airway surgery and implementation of IMT were also studied.

Results

  • It was found that the size of the upper airway muscles increased in response to conventional race training between all three time points.
  • The size of the diaphragm muscles also increased between the first and second time points based on conventional training, but differences were noted when IMT was introduced.
  • The diaphragm size of horses that underwent high-load IMT either remained consistent or increased, whereas it decreased in horses that undertook low-load IMT or did not participate in IMT between the second and third time points.
  • An interesting interaction was observed between the size of the gluteal muscles and the horses’ airway surgery status, with horses that had not undergone airway surgery having larger gluteal muscles.

Conclusions

  • Inspite of the low number of horses that underwent IMT, the research shows clearly that the size of both respiratory and locomotor muscles increase in response to conventional exercise training.
  • In addition, there is an observable change in the size of the diaphragm in response to inspiratory muscle training. More research into this area could open new training techniques to achieve better performance in racehorses.

Cite This Article

APA
Fitzharris LE, Hezzell MJ, McConnell AK, Allen KJ. (2022). Training the equine respiratory muscles: Ultrasonographic measurement of muscle size. Equine Vet J, 55(2), 295-305. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13598

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 55
Issue: 2
Pages: 295-305

Researcher Affiliations

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

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Prospective Studies
  • Breathing Exercises / methods
  • Breathing Exercises / veterinary
  • Inhalation / physiology
  • Respiratory Muscles / physiology
  • Diaphragm / diagnostic imaging
  • Diaphragm / physiology

Grant Funding

  • CS022 / Horserace Betting Levy Board

Conflict of Interest Statement

A.K. McConnell has previously developed two commercial devices for inspiratory muscle training in human subjects but no longer has any financial interest in either product. Other authors declare no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Fitzharris LE, Hezzell MJ, McConnell AK, Allen KJ. Training the equine respiratory muscles: Inspiratory muscle strength. Equine Vet J 2023 Mar;55(2):306-314.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13606pubmed: 35711132google scholar: lookup
  2. Martin A, Lepers R, Vasseur M, Julliand S. Effect of high-starch or high-fibre diets on the energy metabolism and physical performance of horses during an 8-week training period. Front Physiol 2023;14:1213032.
    doi: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1213032pubmed: 37745248google scholar: lookup
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