Effects of weight carrying, exercise and a myo‐anabolic supplement on growth and muscle

Abstract

SummaryWeight training is commonly used by human athletes to increase strength and fitness. This study was performed to examine the effect of weight-carrying and nutritional supplementation on muscle development and growth in yourn horses. This study examined the effect of weight-carrying and nutritional supplementation on muscle development and growth. Seventeen horses were divided into 3 groups: controls exercised in a free-flow exerciser, a weight group that performed the same exercise, carrying progressively increasing weight up to 45 kg, and a weight-supplement group, that also received a myo-anabolic supplement. Horses were accustomed to handling for 30 days then baseline measurements of weight, body condition score, wither height, hip height, forearm and gaskin circumferences, and crosssectional area of the longissimus dorsi were taken. Horses were stalled for 108 days then conditioned for 78 days. At the end of conditioning, all measurements were taken again. Supplemented weight-carrying horses increased their lean body tissue, as indicated by greater bodyweight (P<0.05) combined with decreased body condition score (P<0.01). Greater increases in wither height (P = 0.09) and hip height (P<0.01) were seen in weight-carrying horses, probably the result of increased muscle tone. Supplemented weightcarrying horses increased forearm (P<0.01) and gaskin circumferences (P<0.05). It is believed that weight-carrying, when combined with additional dietary protein, enabled greater muscle anabolism. Additional research into the potential additive effect of resistance training and diet are warrented.

Gymnastic Training and Dynamic Mobilization Exercises Improve Stride Quality and Increase Epaxial Muscle Size in Therapy Horses

“…In the present study, LD did not show significant hypertrophy indicating that the type, intensity, or duration of physical activity were inadequate to stimulate a significant transformation in this muscle. Similarly, O'Connor et al [26] did not observe LD hypertrophy in horses trained with a 45 kg (99 lb) weight overload applied to the back, in comparison with conventional training. In addition, Cottrial et al [27] also failed to verify an increase in electromyographic activity in LD in horses trained with the Pessoa rein.…”

Changes in intramuscular amino acid levels in submaximally exercised horses - a pilot study

“…Substances believed to be ergogenic are commonly used in human sport medicine to boost performance or increase post‐exercise net muscle PS (Williams, 2005). Various preparations with performance enhancing claims are on the equine market too, but clear indications for their efficacy are extremely scarce (O’Connor et al., 2002). Only a positive result obtained with Lys, and Thr mixture was reported by Graham‐Thiers and Kronfeld (2005).…”

Biometry by ultrasonography of the epaxial and pelvic musculature in equines trained with Pessoa's rein

“…Como os músculos epaxiais são responsáveis por realizar a extensão da coluna vertebral dos equinos (McGOWAN et al, 2007), isso implica que esta musculatura foi pouco exigida durante o treinamento com rédea Pessoa e, assim, não promovendo aumento muscular do LD e GM (P>0,05). Similarmente, O'CONNOR et al (2002) também não observaram hipertrofi a do LD em cavalos treinados com sobrecarga, de 45kg de peso aplicado sobre o dorso, em comparação ao treinamento sem carga.…”

“…As mensurações foram feitas após limpeza da pele dos animais e preparação da área com óleo de soja (O'CONNOR et al, 2002). As imagens foram realizadas com a probe orientada transversalmente à linha média dorsal, em ângulo de 45°, aproximadamente (STUBBS et al, 2011a).…”

“…Estas medidas podem ser obtidas mediante uso de fi ta métrica (O'CONNOR et al, 2002), pela ultrassonografi a e por ressonância magnética (STUBBS et al, 2011b). A ultrassonografi a se destaca, dentre essas metodologias, por produzir imagem muscular de forma muito correspondente à anatomia in vivo, além de ser rápida e segura, apresentando menor custo em relação à ressonância magnética (KERSTEN & EDINGER, 2004).…”