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Validation of a portable equine metabolic measurement system.
Abstract: In equine sports medicine, VO2 has been measured exclusively with stationary systems, in laboratories equipped with a treadmill. Measurement during exercise in field conditions has not previously been reported because of the lack of portable equipment designed for horses. Objective: A commercially available portable metabolic measurement system, based on breath-to-breath gas analysis and flow spirometry, was adapted to the horse's physiology and morphology (Cosmed K4b2 and Equimask) and its validity tested by (1) repeatability of the measures and (2) comparing metabolic data to those obtained by a reference method (RM). Methods: To test the reproducibility of the measurements, 5 healthy saddle horses were subjected twice at 2 day intervals to a similar submaximal standardised incremental exercise test on a treadmill. The same horses performed twice at one week interval an incremental treadmill test to fatigue: the oxygen consumption and ventilation were measured once with the K4b2 system and once with the RM. The metabolic and ventilatory data obtained with both systems were compared. Results: There was a good reproducibility of the metabolic measurements obtained by the K4b2 system at any workload. The VO2 obtained by both systems at any workload was not significantly different. However, the K4b2 expired fraction in CO2 (FETCO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) were significantly lower at high and at maximal workloads. As a consequence, the values of the respiratory exchange ratio were too low and incompatible with normal physiological values. Conclusions: The good reproducibility of the metabolic and ventilatory measurements and the fact that the VO2 measurements at any workload were similar to the data obtained with the reference method suggested that this system may be used for comparison of repeated VO2 measurements in practical field conditions. Conclusions: The K4b2 system could be used to improve knowledge of the energetic cost in different equine sports disciplines and offer the opportunity to undertake performance tests with genuine track conditions, on ridden or harnessed horses, rather than under laboratory conditions.
Publication Date: 2007-04-04 PubMed ID: 17402483DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05604.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Validation Study
- Aerobic Capacity
- Comparative Study
- Diagnostic Technique
- Equestrian Sports
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Equine Science
- Equine Studies
- Exercise
- Exercise Physiology
- Horse Training
- Metabolic Health
- Metabolism
- Performance Horses
- Physiology
- Respiratory Health
- Treadmill Exercise
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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The research investigates the efficacy of a portable equine metabolic measurement system (Cosmed K4b2 and Equimask) against a common laboratory-based system. The study observed similar VO2 measurements between the two methods which indicate the potential of the portable device for on-field equine sports medicine.
Introduction and Objective
- The objective of the study was to test the viability of using a portable equipment for measuring a horse’s metabolic activity, particularly VO2, during exercise in field conditions. This kind of measurement has usually been performed in laboratories equipped with a treadmill.
- The portable metabolic measurement system, Cosmed K4b2 and Equimask, was designed to adapt to the horse’s physiology and morphology.
Methods
- To verify the consistency of the measurements from the portable device, five healthy saddle horses were put through a standardised incremental exercise test on a treadmill, twice at two-day intervals.
- Similarly, to compare metabolic data between the portable system and the standard laboratory-based method, the same horses underwent an incremental treadmill test to fatigue. This was done twice, with a week interval, with oxygen consumption and ventilation being measured using both methods.
Results
- The study found the portable system’s measurements to be highly repeatable at varying workloads. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the VO2 measurements obtained by the portable system and the laboratory-based method.
- However, the study noted some discrepancies in the levels of expired fraction in CO2 (FETCO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) at higher workloads, with the portable system recording significantly lower amounts. This consequently led to underestimation of the respiratory exchange ratio at those loads.
Conclusions
- The study suggests that, despite some discrepancies at higher workloads, the portable system’s ability to produce repeatable metabolic and ventilatory measurements along with its similar VO2 measurements to the reference method indicate its potential for practical field use.
- Such a system could enhance our understanding of the energetic cost in different equine sports disciplines and allows for performance tests under genuine track conditions rather than laboratory settings.
Cite This Article
APA
Art T, Duvivier DH, van Erck E, de Moffarts B, Votion D, Bedoret D, Lejeune JP, Lekeux P, Serteyn D.
(2007).
Validation of a portable equine metabolic measurement system.
Equine Vet J Suppl(36), 557-561.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05604.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Sports Medicine Centre and tSurgical Pathology, Equine Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, Bdt.B42, Sart-Tilman, B-4000 Liege, Belgium.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Blood Gas Analysis / veterinary
- Breath Tests / instrumentation
- Breath Tests / methods
- Carbon Dioxide / analysis
- Cross-Over Studies
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Horses / metabolism
- Oxygen / analysis
- Oxygen Consumption / physiology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Pulmonary Gas Exchange
- Pulmonary Ventilation
- Reproducibility of Results
- Respiratory Function Tests / instrumentation
- Respiratory Function Tests / methods
- Respiratory Function Tests / standards
- Respiratory Function Tests / veterinary
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Mercier Q, Aftalion A. Optimal speed in Thoroughbred horse racing. PLoS One 2020;15(12):e0235024.
- Barbosa T, Silva AJ, Reis AM, Costa M, Garrido N, Policarpo F, Reis VM. Kinematical changes in swimming front Crawl and Breaststroke with the AquaTrainer snorkel. Eur J Appl Physiol 2010 Aug;109(6):1155-62.
- Massie S, Bayly W, Ohmura H, Takahashi Y, Mukai K, Léguillette R. Field-training in young two-year-old thoroughbreds: investigating cardiorespiratory adaptations and the presence of exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage. BMC Vet Res 2024 Apr 26;20(1):159.
- 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.
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