The application of a single session of capacitive resistive electric transfer 24 h before exercise modifies the accelerometric pattern in standardbred racing trotters.
Authors: Argüelles David, Saitua Aritz, Miraz Raquel, Calle-González Natalie, Requena Francisco, Nocera Irene, Vitale Valentina, Sgorbini Micaela, Muñoz Ana
Journal: BMC veterinary research
Summary
Capacitive resistive electric transfer (CRET) is a thermal modality purported to enhance blood flow and muscle oxygenation, though evidence supporting its pre-exercise application in equine athletes remains limited. Researchers applied a 40-minute CRET treatment to the neck, back and croup of six Standardbred trotters 24 hours before standardised training sessions, comparing outcomes against a sham control using accelerometry, stride metrics and kinematic regularity measured during both warm-up and maximal-intensity work phases. The CRET-treated horses demonstrated measurable modifications in their accelerometric patterns during exercise, indicating altered movement biomechanics and muscular activity profiles compared to sham treatment. These findings suggest CRET may influence neuromuscular function and movement efficiency when applied a full day prior to exercise, though the clinical significance of these accelerometric changes—whether they translate to improved performance, reduced injury risk or faster recovery—requires further investigation in larger cohorts and across different disciplines. For practitioners, this represents a physiological mechanism worthy of continued study, but current evidence is insufficient to establish clear performance or therapeutic benefits that would justify routine pre-exercise CRET protocols in racing or performance horses.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •CRET treatment applied the day before training may influence movement patterns in racehorses, potentially affecting performance metrics measured by accelerometry
- •A single 40-minute CRET session targeting neck, back and croup shows measurable effects on gait mechanics during high-speed exercise
- •Accelerometry provides objective measurement of CRET effects on movement, though clinical significance for training outcomes requires further investigation
Key Findings
- •Single CRET session 24 hours before exercise modified accelerometric patterns during both warm-up and training bout phases
- •CRET application was applied to neck, back and croup for 40 minutes with blinded sham control protocol
- •Changes in gait parameters including stride frequency, stride length, regularity and symmetry were detected via accelerometry during maximal training speed exercise