Training to avoid injury

Training to avoid injury

Many recent studies of adaptations to exercise and training have demonstrated that tendons, cartilage, bone and other musculoskeletal structures do adapt to the stimulus of regular exercise, or training. In young horses adaptations have been demonstrated, and these changes could help prevent injury during their racing careers in later years. Epidemiolgical studies have shown that racing success is dependent on the volume of exercise training, but there are also limits to the speeds and durations of exercise that can be sustained without resultant injury. It has also been demonstrated that the rate of increase in distances at high speeds is also an important risk factor for lameness, with higher rates resulting in higher risk. Exercise programs have also been used to prevent development of osteochondrosis. The overall conclusion is that exercise programs in young horses, coupled with low-risk training strategies in older horses, can reduce the risk of injury.