|
|
Discussion on Research Summary: Foal Exercise and Bone Strength
|
| Author |
Message |
Moderator:
DrO
|
Posted on Tuesday, Jan 4, 2011 - 3:15 pm:
Here again we have an article which finds positive benefits of light work (increased bone strength) in growing foals and no problems noted with the joints at least by the 17th month.
DrO
Vet J. 2010 Dec 24.
Mild exercise early in life produces changes in bone size and strength but not density in proximal phalangeal, third metacarpal and third carpal bones of foals.
Firth EC, Rogers CW, van Weeren PR, Barneveld A, McIlwraith CW, Kawcak CE, Goodship AE, Smith RK.
Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand; National Research Centre for Growth and Development, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Abstract
Exercise or lack of it in early life affects chonDrO-osseous development. Two groups of horses were used to investigate the effects of age and exercise regimen on bone parameters of diaphyseal, metaphyseal, epiphyseal and cuboidal bones of the distal limb of Thoroughbreds. One group had exercised only spontaneously from an early age at pasture (PASTEX group), while the other group of horses were exposed to a 30% greater workload through additional defined exercise (CONDEX). Longitudinal data from peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) were obtained from eight scan sites of the left forelimb (proximal phalangeal (P(p); 1 site), third metacarpal (Mc3; six sites) and third carpal (C(3); one site) bones) of 32 Thoroughbred foals scanned five times from ∼3weeks to 17months of age. The primary outcome measures were bone mineral content (BMC), bone area (BA), and periosteal circumference (Peri C) in diaphyseal bone, with cortical thickness (CortTh), volumetric bone mineral density (BMD(v)) and a bone strength index (SSI) also being analysed. At the P(p) site within the model there was a significant effect (P=0.00-0.025) of conditioning exercise increasing bone parameters, except endosteal circumference (Endo C) and BMD(v). The BMC, BA, and SSI of P(p) were significantly greater in the CONDEX than PASTEX groups at 12 and 17months (P=0.015-0.042) and CortTh at 17months (P=0.033). At the M55 site of Mc3 BMC, BA and SSI (P=0.02-0.04), and at the M33 site, SSI (P=0.05) were higher in the CONDEX than PASTEX group. The adaptive responses, consistent with diaphyseal strengthening, were more marked in the diaphysis of P(p) than Mc3. In the Mc3, metaphysis, trabecular BMD(v) was less in the CONDEX than PASTEX group, associated with greater bone mineral accretion in the outer cortical-sub-cortical bone in the CONDEX group. There were no significant between-group differences in any epiphyseal or cuboidal bone parameter. Although the early imposed exercise regimen was not intensive, it had significant effects on diaphyseal bone strength, through change in size but not bone density.
|
Member:
lara
|
Posted on Tuesday, Jan 4, 2011 - 6:28 pm:
thanks, although I have to wonder if early exercise has a cost in other areas. Such as earlier arthritis?
|
Member:
canderso
|
Posted on Wednesday, Jan 5, 2011 - 7:49 am:
I am pretty sure there are other studies that show no increased arthritis or anything.
What worries me about these studies is how they can be misinterpreted. I understand that many of them involve work/stress that is NOT under saddle and in generally straight lines (e.g., on walkers or, for older horses, under saddle but on a racetrack/training track)
So I am not sure these studies mean it is ok to start riding a yearling or two year old. The ones I have read mean it is ok for these horses to gallop. period.
|
Member:
lara
|
Posted on Wednesday, Jan 5, 2011 - 6:57 pm:
Also wanted to add:
I always thought bone density was an indicator of strength. I mean, you could have huge but crappy, weak bone. They are saying that this exercise increased bone size but not density: "...it had significant effects on diaphyseal bone strength, through change in size but not bone density" So I am not getting how it significantly increased bone strength? DrO?
(obviously if you have large AND dense you are hitting the jackpot... throw some strong tendons into that mix and you get Irish )
Although I too am sure this study is not saying its ok to start riding 7week to 17 month olds, there is always an idiot out there who will ride a yearling...I have see them on craigslist "super gentle yearling, so gentle you can ride" bleck.
Cheryl interesting to know it doesnt increase earlier arthritis. hmmm.
|
Member:
dres
|
Posted on Wednesday, Jan 5, 2011 - 7:27 pm:
LOL shameless plug for the Irish Leslie...
On the first day God created horses,on the second day he painted them with spots..
|
Member:
lara
|
Posted on Wednesday, Jan 5, 2011 - 7:42 pm:
 I KNOW
|
Member:
canderso
|
Posted on Thursday, Jan 6, 2011 - 6:20 am:
Shameless but accurate.... and we do like to stick to the facts on this site!!! (grin)
|
|
|
