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A comparative study of interval and continuous incremental training in Thoroughbreds

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2009

Laura L Bronsart ,
Raymond H Sides  and
Warwick M Bayly
Laura L Bronsart*
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA99164-6610, USA 467 Fernando Avenue, Palo Alto, CA94306, USA
Raymond H Sides
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA99164-6610, USA
Warwick M Bayly
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA99164-6610, USA
*
*Corresponding author: laurabronsart@yahoo.com
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Abstract

Few equine studies exist comparing the effects of different forms of training. This study tested the following hypothesis: interval training (IT) results in similar or better fitness parameters in Thoroughbreds when compared to continuous incremental training (CT) of the same workload with fewer galloping strides. Two groups of five horses underwent 6 weeks of IT or CT. Fitness levels were established before and following training. Both groups showed significant increases in VO2max (P < 0.05), lactate threshold (P < 0.05), work rate corresponding to 100% VO2max (P < 0.05) and work to fatigue during an incremental and sprint exercise test (P < 0.05). The interval-trained group had a significant increase in peak lactate values (P < 0.05) and a significant decrease in body weight (P < 0.05). The increase in VO2max of the interval group was greater than the increase in VO2max of the continuous incremental group (P = 0.10), increasing 27.38 ± 8.44 and 14.64 ± 2.66%, respectively. The interval group took significantly fewer galloping strides than the continuous incremental group for all weeks of training (P < 0.05). It is considered that supramaximal IT improves equine fitness as well as CT of the same workload with fewer galloping strides.

Keywords

horsefitnessexercise physiologyinterval trainingVO2max
Type
Research Paper
Information
Comparative Exercise Physiology , Volume 6 , Issue 2 , May 2009 , pp. 49 - 57
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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