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Effect of controlled exercise on middle gluteal muscle fibre composition in Thoroughbred foals
Author(s) -
Eto D.,
Yamano S.,
Kasashima Y.,
Sugiura T.,
Nasu T.,
Tokuriki M.,
Miyata H.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
equine veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.82
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 2042-3306
pISSN - 0425-1644
DOI - 10.2746/042516403775696276
Subject(s) - horse , succinic dehydrogenase , muscle hypertrophy , medicine , treadmill , gluteal muscles , succinate dehydrogenase , endurance training , fibre type , anatomy , physiology , physical therapy , biology , skeletal muscle , mitochondrion , biochemistry , paleontology , enzyme
Summary Reasons for performing study : Most racehorses are trained regularly from about age 18 months; there fore, little information is available on the effect of training in Thoroughbred foals. Hypothesis : Well‐controlled exercise could improve muscle potential ability for endurance running. Methods : Thoroughbred foals at age 2 months were separated into control and training (treadmill exercise) groups and samples obtained from the middle gluteal muscle at 2 and 12 months post partum. Muscle fibre compositions were determined by histochemical and electrophoretical techniques and succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) activity was analysed in each fibre type. Results : All fibre types were hypertrophied with growth and type I and IIA fibres were significantly larger in the training than the control group at age 12 months. A significant increase of SDH activity was found in type IIX muscle fibres in the training group. Conclusions : Training in young Thoroughbred horses can facilitate muscle fibre hy pert rophy and increase the oxidative capacity of type IIX fibres, which could potentially enhance stamina at high speeds. Potential relevance : To apply this result to practical training, further studies are needed to determine more effective and safe intensities of controlled exercise.