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Consumption of β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HBM), a leucine metabolite, alters muscle composition and metabolism leading to strength and agility improvements in human athletes. To determine if HMB affects athletic performance and muscle function in horses, Thoroughbred geldings were fed a control (CON; n=5) or HMB (n=6) supplement (30 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks prior to completing a standardized exercise test (SET). Gluteus medius (GM) muscle samples were obtained before the SET for fiber-typing and venous blood was collected before and immediately upon completion of the SET for lactate measurements. Heart rate (HR), biceps femoris (BF) and semitendinosus (ST) surface electromyograms, and fore- and hindlimb metacarpophalangeal joint angles were captured for the duration of the SET. Results demonstrate that HMB supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the percentage of type IIA muscle fibers in the GM with a corresponding decrease (P < 0.05) in type IIX fibers. The percentage of type I fibers was unaffected by diet. Supplementation with HMB did not result in any significant effects on performance, muscle function or biomechanical properties by comparison to CON. Increasing treadmill speed resulted in an increase (P < 0.05) in stride length and maximal extension angle of the fore fetlock, and a shortening (P < 0.05) of the stance phase of the gait cycle. Integrated EMG (iEMG) increased (P < 0.05) with increasing treadmill speeds for both the BF and ST, with the BF exhibiting greater iEMG values than the ST. In summary, HMB increased the percentage of type IIA fibers which did not translate into immediate, improved athletic performance / Master of Science / Muscles depend on their fibers, innervation, energy supply, and blood flow to contract. Failure to meet one or more of these requirements precludes muscle tissue from performing work, situation termed fatigue. Identification of fatigue indicators is of interest to the horse industry for a number of reasons, including horse and human safety, prevention of unnecessary expenses, and general public opinion of the sport disciplines. Diet supplementation with legal, performanceenhancing compounds is of interest to riders and horse owners alike. Molecules such as betahydroxy beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) improve muscle function, protein synthesis, and muscle tissue repair. Assessment of the athletic capacity and performance of horses by evaluating fatigue indicators favors responsible training regimes. Techniques to achieve this goal include muscle sampling, biochemical, electromyographic, and biomechanical analysis. We hypothesized that dietary supplementation of HMB would have positive effects on the athletic performance of horses. This study evaluated the effects of 45-day HMB supplementation on muscle fiber composition, muscle performance, and rates of fatigue in adult Thoroughbred horses by use of a high-speed treadmill. Muscle biopsies, blood lactate, high-speed video captures, and electromyography were analyzed. These analyses revealed that HMB supplementation increased the number of fatigue-resistant fibers in muscles but caused no substantial, immediate improvements on the athletic performance of horses.

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1953 M4 / Master of Science

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