Metabolic responses of jumping horses training on an inclined treadmill

Abstract

This study assessed the metabolic responses of seven show-jumping horses subjected to an inclined treadmill training. The horses were trained daily in 50-minute morning sessions, five days a week, which included dressage and flexion exercises, and jumping gymnastics. The treadmill training occurred in the afternoon for 16 weeks, with two phases. In both phases, horses were trained twice weekly, with three-day intervals between sessions. The first phase lasted six weeks with walking (1.7 m/s) and treadmill inclines of 0%, 7%, and 13%. The second phase lasted ten weeks with similar training frequency and higher intensity, with treadmill at a 13% incline. Blood samples were collected before and after the treadmill training and, during training sessions to determine AST, CK, LDH, uric acid, glucose and lactate. Data was analyzed by ANOVA using a split-plot design, with evaluation time points (before and after training) as plots and blood collection times during the training session as subplots. Means were compared using Tukey’s test. No difference in CK and uric acid were observed before and after training (P > 0.05). Both variables were affected by collection time (P = 0.009), reaching peak values 12 h post-training. Differences of LDH were observed before and after treadmill training. No differences were observed in the AST concentration. Glucose and lactate did not differ before and after the treadmill training. The treadmill training of show-jumping horses was a safe protocol without evidence of muscle injury.