Changes in maximum oxygen uptake during prolonged training, overtraining, and detraining in horses

Thirteen standardbred horses were trained as follows: phase 1 (endurance training, 7 wk), phase 2 (high-intensity training, 9 wk), phase 3 (overload training, 18 wk), and phase 4 (detraining, 12 wk). In phase 3, the horses were divided into two groups: overload training (OLT) and control (C). The OLT group exercised at greater intensities, frequencies, and durations than group C. Overtraining occurred after 31 wk of training and was defined as a significant decrease in treadmill run time in response to a standardized exercise test. In the OLT group, there was a significant decrease in body weight (P < 0.05). From pretraining values of 117 +/- 2 (SE) ml.kg-1.min-1, maximal O2 uptake (VO2max) increased by 15% at the end of phase 1, and when signs of overtraining were first seen in the OLT group, VO2max was 29% higher (151 +/- 2 ml.kg-1.min-1 in both C and OLT groups) than pretraining values. There was no significant reduction in VO2max until after 6 wk detraining when VO2max was 137 +/- 2 ml.kg-1.min-1. By 12 wk detraining, mean VO2max was 134 +/- 2 ml.kg-1.min-1, still 15% above pretraining values. When overtraining developed, VO2max was not different between C and OLT groups, but maximal values for CO2 production (147 vs. 159 ml.kg-1.min-1) and respiratory exchange ratio (1.04 vs. 1.11) were lower in the OLT group. Overtraining was not associated with a decrease in VO2max and, after prolonged training, decreases in VO2max occurred slowly during detraining.