Treadmill exercise-induced tendon hypertrophy: assessment of tendons with different mechanical functions.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This research investigates the effects of high-intensity treadmill exercise on the hypertrophy (growth) of various tendons in Thoroughbred fillies. The study focuses specifically on the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) which plays a crucial role in energy storage during high-speed motion.
Hypothesis and Test Groups
The research hypothesis was that the SDFT, due to its role in energy storage during intense physical activities, wouldn’t undergo significant hypertrophy in response to high-intensity exercise. Conversely, tendons which don’t play roles in energy storage would display adaptive hypertrophy.
Two sets of Thoroughbred fillies (n = 6) were chosen for the exercise regime. They were trained at high-intensity on a high-speed equine treadmill for either 5 months (short-term study) or 18 months (long-term study). Age-matched control groups (n = 6) exercised at low-intensity for the same time periods.
Measurements and Instruments
Throughout the study, the SDFT and the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) were taken under ultrasound scan at the mid-metacarpal level and their cross-sectional area (CSA) was then calculated. After both short and long-term studies, the left SDFT, DDFT, suspensory ligament (SL), and common digital extensor tendon (CDET) were harvested and their CSA calculated.
Findings
Findings showed an age-related increase in the CSA of the DDFT both in the 2-year-old fillies (end of short-term study) and 3-year-old horses (end of long-term study). This increase was confirmed by ultrasonographs.
The research found significant hypertrophy in the CDET following high-intensity training in the short-term study while no significant CSA difference was detected between training groups for any of the structures after the long-term training.
- The CSA of the common digital extensor tendon (CDET) significantly increased post high-intensity training in younger horses (short-term study).
- No significant difference in the CSA of any tendon or ligament was found between the high-intensity training group and low-intensity group after 18 months (long-term study).
Conclusion
These results suggest a structure-specific hypertrophic response to high-intensity training. In other words, tendons respond in different ways to high-intensity exercise depending on their specific functions and attributes in the horse’s body.
Cite This Article
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Royal Veterinary College, University of London, North Mymms, Hatfield, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Female
- Horses / injuries
- Hypertrophy / etiology
- Hypertrophy / veterinary
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Stress, Mechanical
- Tendons / diagnostic imaging
- Tendons / pathology
- Ultrasonography
Citations
This article has been cited 17 times.- Likon I, Dyson S, Nagy A. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Measurements of the Proximal Palmar Cortex of the Third Metacarpal Bone and the Suspensory Ligament in Non-Lame Endurance Horses before and after Six Months of Training.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Mar 20;13(6).
- Logan AA, Nielsen BD. Training Young Horses: The Science behind the Benefits.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Feb 9;11(2).
- Ribitsch I, Gueltekin S, Keith MF, Minichmair K, Peham C, Jenner F, Egerbacher M. Age-related changes of tendon fibril micro-morphology and gene expression.. J Anat 2020 Apr;236(4):688-700.
- Parkes RSV, Weller R, Pfau T, Witte TH. The Effect of Training on Stride Duration in a Cohort of Two-Year-Old and Three-Year-Old Thoroughbred Racehorses.. Animals (Basel) 2019 Jul 22;9(7).
- Vera MC, Abdala V, Aru00e1oz E, Ponssa ML. Movement and joints: effects of overuse on anuran knee tissues.. PeerJ 2018;6:e5546.
- Magnusson SP, Kjaer M. The impact of loading, unloading, ageing and injury on the human tendon.. J Physiol 2019 Mar;597(5):1283-1298.
- Bell R, Boniello MR, Gendron NR, Flatow EL, Andarawis-Puri N. Delayed exercise promotes remodeling in sub-rupture fatigue damaged tendons.. J Orthop Res 2015 Jun;33(6):919-25.
- Couppu00e9 C, Svensson RB, Grosset JF, Kovanen V, Nielsen RH, Olsen MR, Larsen JO, Praet SF, Skovgaard D, Hansen M, Aagaard P, Kjaer M, Magnusson SP. Life-long endurance running is associated with reduced glycation and mechanical stress in connective tissue.. Age (Dordr) 2014;36(4):9665.
- Moerch L, Pingel J, Boesen M, Kjaer M, Langberg H. The effect of acute exercise on collagen turnover in human tendons: influence of prior immobilization period.. Eur J Appl Physiol 2013 Feb;113(2):449-55.
- Onambele-Pearson GL, Pearson SJ. The magnitude and character of resistance-training-induced increase in tendon stiffness at old age is gender specific.. Age (Dordr) 2012 Apr;34(2):427-38.
- Sun YL, Thoreson AR, Cha SS, Zhao C, An KN, Amadio PC. Temporal response of canine flexor tendon to limb suspension.. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2010 Dec;109(6):1762-8.
- Magnusson SP, Narici MV, Maganaris CN, Kjaer M. Human tendon behaviour and adaptation, in vivo.. J Physiol 2008 Jan 1;586(1):71-81.
- Folland JP, Williams AG. The adaptations to strength training : morphological and neurological contributions to increased strength.. Sports Med 2007;37(2):145-68.
- Firth EC. The response of bone, articular cartilage and tendon to exercise in the horse.. J Anat 2006 Apr;208(4):513-26.
- Kjaer M, Magnusson P, Krogsgaard M, Boysen Mu00f8ller J, Olesen J, Heinemeier K, Hansen M, Haraldsson B, Koskinen S, Esmarck B, Langberg H. Extracellular matrix adaptation of tendon and skeletal muscle to exercise.. J Anat 2006 Apr;208(4):445-50.
- Magnusson SP, Kjaer M. Region-specific differences in Achilles tendon cross-sectional area in runners and non-runners.. Eur J Appl Physiol 2003 Nov;90(5-6):549-53.
- Langberg H, Rosendal L, Kjaer M. Training-induced changes in peritendinous type I collagen turnover determined by microdialysis in humans.. J Physiol 2001 Jul 1;534(Pt 1):297-302.