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Leguillette R, McCrae P, Massie S, Filho SA, Bayly W, David F. Workload and spirometry associated with untethered swimming in horses. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:327. [PMID: 39030565 PMCID: PMC11264580 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04143-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Swimming has been used empirically for rehabilitation and conditioning of horses. However, due to challenges imposed by recording physiological parameters in water, the intensity of free swimming effort is unknown. OBJECTIVES Measure the physiological workload associated with untethered swimming in horses. Five fit Arabian endurance horses were assessed while swimming in a 100 m-long indoor pool. Horses were equipped with a modified ergospirometry facemask to measure oxygen consumption (V̇O2) and ventilatory parameters (inspired/expired volumes, VI, VE; peak inspiratory/expiratory flows, PkVI, PkVE; respiratory frequency, Rf; minute ventilation, VE; inspiratory/expiratory durations and ratios, tI, tE, tI/ttot, tE/ttot); and an underwater electrocardiogram that recorded heart rate (HR). Postexercise venous blood lactate and ammonia concentrations were measured. Data are reported as median (interquartile ranges). RESULTS Horses showed bradypnea (12 breaths/min (10-16)) for the first 30 s of swimming. V̇O2 during swimming was 43.2 ml/(kg.min) (36.0-56.6). Ventilatory parameters were: VI = 16.7 L (15.3-21.8), VE = 14.7 L (12.4-18.9), PkVI = 47.8 L/s (45.8-56.5), PkVE = 55.8 L/s (38.3-72.5), Rf = 31.4 breaths/min (20.0-33.8), VE = 522.9 L/min (414.7-580.0), tI = 0.5 s (0.5-0.6), tE = 1.2 s (1.1-1.6), tI/ttot = 0.3 (0.2-0.4), tE/ttot = 0.7 (0.6-0.8). Expiratory flow tracings showed marked oscillations that coincided with a vibrating expiratory sound. HR was 178.0 bpm (148.5-182.0), lactate = 1.5 mmol/L (1.0-1.9) and ammonia = 41.0 µmol/L (36.5-43.5). CONCLUSIONS Free (untethered) swimming represents a submaximal, primarily aerobic exercise in horses. The breathing pattern during swimming is unique, with a relatively longer apneic period at the beginning of the exercise and an inspiratory time less than half that of expiration.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Leguillette
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N4N1, Canada.
| | - P McCrae
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N4N1, Canada
| | - S Massie
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N4N1, Canada
| | - S Arroyo Filho
- Al Shaqab, a Member of Qatar Foundation, Al Shaqab Street, Al Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
| | - W Bayly
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, PO Box 646610, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - F David
- EquiTom - Namur, a member of the Equine Care Group, 15 Chaussée de Nivelles, Mazy, 5032, Belgium
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Santosuosso E, David F, Massie S, Filho SA, McCrae P, Johnson S, Leguillette R. Frequency of cardiac arrhythmias in horses during straight and untethered swimming. Equine Vet J 2023; 55:738-746. [PMID: 36273248 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiac arrhythmias have not been previously reported in horses while swimming. OBJECTIVES To describe the type and frequency of encountered arrhythmias during repetitive swimming cycles. STUDY DESIGN Descriptive observational study. METHODS Sixteen horses swam five pool lengths (75 m), each separated by an active recovery walk. Continuous electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded (n = 80) and analysed during the pre-swim, swim and active-recovery periods. Arrhythmias were categorised as sinus arrhythmia (SA), sinus block, sinus pause (compensatory and non-compensatory), second degree atrioventricular block (2AVB) for physiological arrhythmias, supraventricular premature depolarisation (SVPD) and ventricular premature depolarisation (VPD) for non-physiological arrhythmias. A linear mixed-effects model was used to examine the effects of repetitive swim lengths on arrhythmias and swimming parameters. Data were reported as median [interquartile range]. RESULTS Fifteen horses (94%) experienced at least one arrhythmia; however, the frequency remained low and 2AVB were only observed during the pre-swim period. The swimming heart rate (HR) was 162 bpm [141;173]. Sinus blocks, sinus pauses, SA, SVPD and VPD were all recorded at least once during swimming. Except for one VPD couplet, all premature depolarisations were isolated. During active-recovery, the HR was 105 bpm [103;106], with SA observed in 13 horses (81%), isolated SVPD in six horses (38%), sinus pause in one horse (6%) but no VPD present. MAIN LIMITATIONS Limited number of horses precluding population prevalence assessment. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE High-quality underwater ECGs were acquired in swimming horses for the first time. The frequency of arrhythmias remained low and rare pathological arrhythmias were observed during repetitive swimming and active-recovery cycles. Swimming with active-recovery periods is not a high-risk cardio-arrhythmic exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Santosuosso
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Florent David
- Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shannon Massie
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Silvio A Filho
- Al Shaqab - Endurance Department, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Persephone McCrae
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sarah Johnson
- Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Renaud Leguillette
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Vinardell T, David F, Galezowski AM, Ali M, Qasim M, Massie SL, McCrae P, Filho S, Leguillette R. Free Swimming and Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage in Endurance Horses: A Preliminary Study. J Equine Vet Sci 2023; 120:104182. [PMID: 36464029 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Swimming is used for rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and for conditioning to improve equine fitness. However, there are anecdotal reports that suggest that tethered swimming can induce epistaxis, likely secondary to exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). The objective of this observational, prospective study was to investigate if EIPH occurs during intensive free-swimming training sessions (5 × 70m) using 15 endurance horses. On tracheo-bronchoscopic evaluations following swimming, low grade mucus scores were observed, but no tracheal blood was observed. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis revealed a low cellularity, and the median red blood cell count (RBCs) was 271 cells/μL (interquartile range 150-363 cells/μL), which is much lower than the threshold of RBCs >1,000 cells/μL for horses to be considered positive for EIPH. Therefore, free swimming does not seem to predispose endurance horses to EIPH following a typical free-swimming training session.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Vinardell
- Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar; College of Health and Life Sciences, Member of Qatar Foundation, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Florent David
- Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar; Equine Care Group, Lummen, Belgium.
| | | | - Mohammad Ali
- Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Muhammad Qasim
- Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shannon L Massie
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Persephone McCrae
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Silvio Filho
- Al Shaqab's Endurance Department, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Renaud Leguillette
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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Santosuosso E, Leguillette R, Vinardell T, Filho S, Massie S, McCrae P, Johnson S, Rolian C, David F. Kinematic Analysis During Straight Line Free Swimming in Horses: Part 2 - Hindlimbs. Front Vet Sci 2022; 8:761500. [PMID: 35174237 PMCID: PMC8843043 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.761500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Swimming is used for rehabilitation and conditioning purposes in equine sports medicine. We described the swimming kinematics of the equine forelimbs in Part 1. The aim of Part 2 is to assess stifle, tarsus, and hind fetlock joints kinematics in swimming horses. The objectives were 1- to calculate and compare joint angles during swimming against passive mobilizations (PM), 2- to determine joints angular velocities during a swimming stride cycle. Methods Eleven elite endurance horses were used to swim in a 100-meter straight pool. Underwater (swimming) and overground PM videos were recorded from the horses' left side. Joint markers were applied on the lateral hoof wall, lateral metatarsal epicondyle, lateral aspect of the talus, lateral femoral epicondyle, and great trochanter of the femur. As a reference, maximal fetlock, tarsus, and stifle flexion/extension angles were determined during PM overground. Differences between angle extrema, angular velocities, and range of motion (ROM) were statistically compared. Results The tarsus ROM was similar during PM and swimming. The stifle and fetlock ROM were greater during PM, although the stifle flexion was greater during swimming. The stifle and tarsus had the greatest hindlimb angular velocity during the swimming cycle. Greater angular velocities were observed during the retraction phase for all the hindlimb joints. Conclusion A short retraction phase with great angular velocity for the joints of interest characterized the swimming pattern observed. Swimming may be beneficial in horses when an increased ROM of the tarsus and stifle or a reduced fetlock extension is indicated for rehabilitation purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Santosuosso
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Renaud Leguillette
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Tatiana Vinardell
- Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Silvio Filho
- Al Shaqab's Endurance Department, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shannon Massie
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Persephone McCrae
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Sarah Johnson
- Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Campbell Rolian
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Florent David
- Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
- *Correspondence: Florent David ;
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Santosuosso E, Leguillette R, Vinardell T, Filho S, Massie S, McCrae P, Johnson S, Rolian C, David F. Kinematic Analysis During Straight Line Free Swimming in Horses: Part 1 - Forelimbs. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:752375. [PMID: 34722709 PMCID: PMC8553013 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.752375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Swimming is used for rehabilitation and conditioning purposes in equine sports medicine despite the lack of understanding of equine swimming kinematics. The aim of this study was to assess forelimb joints kinematics (elbow, carpus, and fetlock) in swimming horses. The specific objectives were 1- to calculate and compare joint angles in swimming vs. passive mobilizations (PM), 2- to determine joint angular velocities during a swimming stride cycle. Methods: Eleven elite endurance horses swam in a 100-m straight pool. Underwater (swimming) and overground (PM) videos were recorded from the horses' left side. Joint markers were applied on the lateral hoof wall, lateral metacarpal epicondyle, ulnar carpal bone, lateral humeral epicondyle, and the greater tubercle of humerus, from which elbow, carpus and fetlock angles, and angular velocities were obtained. As a reference, maximal fetlock, carpus, and elbow flexion/extension angles were determined during PM overground. Differences between angle extrema, angular velocities and range of motion (ROM) were compared. Results: Carpus and fetlock ROM were significantly smaller (p < 0.001) during swimming when compared with PM, while there was no difference in elbow ROM between both situations. The carpus had the greatest ROM of all joints during swimming. Absolute angular velocities values of all joints during swimming were greater during retraction than protraction (p < 0.001). When compared to other joints during protraction, the carpus joint reached the highest angular velocity. Conclusion: Swimming, as a rehabilitation exercise, has the potential to benefit horses where great elbow ROM with a moderate carpus and fetlock extension are wanted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Santosuosso
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Renaud Leguillette
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Tatiana Vinardell
- Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Silvio Filho
- Al Shaqab - Endurance Department, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shannon Massie
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Persephone McCrae
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Sarah Johnson
- Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Campbell Rolian
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Florent David
- Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health & Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Member of Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
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Jones S, Franklin S, Martin C, Steel C. Complete upper airway collapse and apnoea during tethered swimming in horses. Equine Vet J 2019; 52:352-358. [PMID: 31495963 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is limited knowledge of the breathing strategy and impact on the patency of the upper respiratory tract (URT) in swimming horses. OBJECTIVES To describe the respiratory responses and endoscopic appearance of the URT during tethered swimming in horses. STUDY DESIGN Prospective descriptive study. METHODS Ten race-fit horses, with no history of URT obstruction, were examined during tethered swimming. Endoscopic examination, heart rate, sound recordings and above and below water video recordings were obtained. Plasma lactate concentration was measured before and 5 min after swimming and tracheal endoscopy was performed 30 min after exercise to assess for presence of blood or mucus. Four horses also underwent endoscopy during exercise on the track. RESULTS Mean (±s.d.) breathing frequency was 28 ± 5 breaths/min during swimming, with a brief inspiration (mean ± s.d. TI = 0.51 ± 0.08 s), followed by a period of apnoea (1.59 ± 0.53 s) and then a short, forced expiration (TE = 0.42 ± 0.5 s). During apnoea all horses exhibited complete collapse of the URT including closure of the external nares, nasopharynx and rima glottidis (with bilateral adduction of the arytenoid cartilages and vocal folds) and, in two horses, epiglottic retroversion. No horses had URT collapse during overground exercise. Locomotor-respiratory coupling was not observed during swimming. Median (IQR) plasma lactate post swim was 4.71 mmol/L (2.08-8.09 mmol/L) vs 0.68 mmol/L (0.65-0.71 mmol/L) preswim. Post swim endoscopy revealed grade 1 exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) in 2 horses. Median mucus grade was 1 (range 0-3). MAIN LIMITATIONS Overground endoscopy was not performed in all horses. CONCLUSIONS Horses experienced complete URT collapse associated with post inspiratory apnoea when swimming. The reason for this is unknown but may be to aid buoyancy or associated with the mammalian dive response - a survival reflex to preserve oxygen stores and prevent water entering the lungs.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Jones
- University of Melbourne Equine Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - S Franklin
- University of Adelaide Equine Health and Performance Centre, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia
| | - C Martin
- Sperero Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - C Steel
- University of Melbourne Equine Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Steel C, Morrice-West A. A survey of trainers on the use of swimming and other water-based exercise for Thoroughbred racehorses in Australia. COMPARATIVE EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.3920/cep190012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We aimed to determine the extent of use of water-based exercise and to describe swimming training practices in Thoroughbred racehorses in Victoria, Australia. A convenience sample of 118 trainers were interviewed, information relating to swimming protocols, perceived benefits and contra-indications, and use of other water-based exercise recorded and descriptive data analyses performed. Water-based exercise was used by 85.6% (n=101) trainers: 82.2% (n=97) swimming, 25.4% (n=30) using a water walker, 13.6% (n=16) incorporating ridden trotting (‘surging’) exercise in chest deep water, and 1.7% (n=2) using an underwater treadmill. Common reasons (and trainer %) for swimming were training variety and mental ‘freshness’ (62.9%), part of the exercise regime on ‘slow’ days (61.9%) and fitness benefits (60.8%). These horses swam a median of 50-90 m (ranging from a minimum of 40-180 m to a maximum of 40-450 m), continuously or as intervals, after track work, once or twice daily a median 3 days/week (range 0.5-7). Swimming for 50 (range 40-120 m) to 90 m (range 40-200 m) before track work 7 days/week (range 3-7) was used by 43 of the 97 trainers (44.3%) to manage horses prone to exertional rhabdomyolysis. Swimming was used to replace fast work by three trainers who swam horses with limb injuries up to 270-450 m. Common reasons (and % trainers) for not swimming individual horses were demeanour/distress (73.2%), previous swim colic (35.1%) or exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage (35.1%) although only five trainers had ever seen epistaxis after swimming exercise. Swimming is widely used in training Thoroughbred horses in Australia yet trainer opinions particularly on fitness benefits, contra-indications and protocols vary widely and need to be scientifically validated. Diversifying training activities is a common strategy for managing racehorses in training, yet a better understanding of the best use of swimming and other cross-training options is needed so that evidence-based recommendations can be made.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Steel
- Equine Centre, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Hwy, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
| | - A. Morrice-West
- Equine Centre, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Hwy, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
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Jackson AE. In this issue - March 2019: Clinical review of feline viral diagnosis · Vaccination reactions in experimental sheep · Swimming excercise in Standardbreds · Bone fragments in young Thoroughbreds · Cefovecin in marsupials · Mycobacteriosis in captive brolgas. Aust Vet J 2019; 97:43-44. [PMID: 30809811 DOI: 10.1111/avj.12793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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