Training the equine respiratory muscles: Ultrasonographic measurement of muscle size

Fitzharris, Laura E.; Hezzell, Melanie J; McConnell, Alison; Allen, Kate J

doi:10.1111/evj.13598

Cited by 3 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…The results presented here indicate that both conventional race training and high‐load IMT appear to increase the strength of the equine diaphragm, in line with results in human subjects 8,10 . A linked investigation also demonstrated an increase in diaphragm thickness, measured ultrasonographically, in association with training 1 . Although the results of the linked investigation did not show an increase in the size of the muscles of the upper airway with IMT, previous studies have indicated the potential use of IMT for the management of dynamic upper airway obstruction in both equine and human athletes 22,27 .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…Finally, the association between IMT, IMSi, and race performance were not assessed in this investigation as the number of horses included in the study, and the time between examinations, were both deemed too small to obtain a meaningful difference. This study was performed alongside a linked investigation conducted in a larger population of horses which did explore the association between ultrasound measurement of respiratory muscle size and performance ratings 1 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on this information, with power β = 0.8 and type 1 error α = 0.05, a minimum of 10 horses were to be recruited. As this investigation was conducted alongside ultrasound measurement of the respiratory muscles, which required a larger sample size, additional horses were recruited 1 . Inclusion criteria required horses to be considered ‘race fit’ by the trainer and to continue in training and competition in National Hunt races for the 10 weeks of the study period.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In human athletes there is a training‐induced adaptation of the respiratory muscles 1 , 2 with an increase in the inspiratory muscle strength following both non‐specific strength training and specific inspiratory muscle training (IMT). 1 , 2 , 3 IMT has been used as an ergogenic aid in healthy human subjects, with investigations demonstrating an improvement in athletic performance 4 and a change in a range of physiological parameters 5 , 6 but most importantly attenuation of inspiratory muscle fatigue. 7 In addition, there is a correlation between diaphragm thickness and inspiratory muscle strength in people, 8 , 9 , 10 with an increase in diaphragm thickness and inspiratory muscle strength (measured by maximal inspiratory pressure) following IMT.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Training the equine respiratory muscles: Inspiratory muscle strength

Fitzharris

Hezzell

McConnell

et al. 2022

Equine Veterinary Journal

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Background: Little is known about the response of the equine respiratory muscles to training.Objectives: 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). Study design: 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 2 O (21-25) to timepoint B: 26 cmH 2 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 2 O (28-36) (p = 0.001) but not the low-load group 26 cmH 2 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). Main limitations: 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.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Training the equine respiratory muscles: Inspiratory muscle strength

Fitzharris

Hezzell

McConnell

et al. 2022

Equine Veterinary Journal

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Training the equine respiratory muscles: Ultrasonographic measurement of muscle size

Fitzharris

Hezzell

McConnell

et al. 2022

Equine Veterinary Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Limited information exists regarding changes in the size of respiratory and locomotor muscles in response to exercise training in the Thoroughbred racehorse. Objectives: To describe and compare the responses of the respiratory and locomotor muscles to conventional exercise training and inspiratory muscle training (IMT). Study design: 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). Main limitations: 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.

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Effect of high-starch or high-fibre diets on the energy metabolism and physical performance of horses during an 8-week training period

Martin,

Lepers,

Vasseur

et al. 2023

Front. Physiol.

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Large amounts of high-starch concentrates are traditionally fed to horses in training. However, this has been associated with digestive or muscle diseases and behavioural modifications. In parallel, it has been demonstrated that horses fed high-fibre, low-starch diets achieve the same performance over an exercise test as the ones fed high-starch diets. However, whether the same performance level can be maintained over a longer training cycle is still being determined. This study aimed to compare the evolution in physical performance and cardiorespiratory responses of two groups of French Trotters fed either a control high-starch (15.0 g dry matter hay/kg body mass/day + 6.6 g dry matter oats/kg body mass/day) or a high-fibre diet (75% of oats replaced by dehydrated alfalfa) over an 8-week training period. The horses that entered the trial were untrained for ≥4 months and previously fed hay only. Track training with speed monitoring included interval training sessions and 2400 m performance tests from week 1 to week 8 (W8). Before (week 0, W0) and after (week 9, W9) the training period, horses performed an incremental continuous exercise test during which cardiorespiratory parameters were measured. Both groups progressed to the same extent regarding physical performance measured during interval training sessions (acceleration: 0.16 m.s−2 at W0 and 0.40 m.s−2 at W8; p < 0.0001), the 2400 m performance test (average speed: 8.88 m.s−1 at W0 and 10.55 m.s−1 at W8; p < 0.0001), and the incremental continuous exercise test (speed during the fastest stage: 9.57 m.s−1 at W0 and 10.53 m.s−1 at W9; p = 0.030). Although oxygen consumption increased with training (p = 0.071), it was not influenced by the diet. On the contrary, carbon dioxide production increased in the high-starch group only (high-starch group: 84.0 vs. high-fibre group: 77.7 mL.kg−1.min−1 at W9; p = 0.031). The results illustrate that horses in both groups progressed similarly but did not use the same metabolic pathways during exercise. This hypothesis is supported by carbohydrate oxidation, which tended to increase in the high-starch group at W9 but decreased in the high-fibre group (p = 0.061). In conclusion, the substitution of high-starch by high-fibre diets enabled similar performance over an 8-week training period and altered energy metabolism in a way that could be beneficial during high-intensity exercise.

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Training the equine respiratory muscles: Ultrasonographic measurement of muscle size

Cited by 3 publications

References 34 publications

Training the equine respiratory muscles: Inspiratory muscle strength

Training the equine respiratory muscles: Inspiratory muscle strength

Training the equine respiratory muscles: Ultrasonographic measurement of muscle size

Effect of high-starch or high-fibre diets on the energy metabolism and physical performance of horses during an 8-week training period

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