Acute whole-body vibration as a recovery strategy did not alter the content of gluteus medius monocarboxylate-transporters, lactatemia, and acidosis induced by intense exercise in horses.

Summary

# Editorial Summary Whole-body vibration platforms have gained attention as a passive recovery tool in equine sports medicine, yet their biochemical effects remain poorly characterised. Researchers investigated whether acute vibration exposure following high-intensity treadmill exercise could modify monocarboxylate transporter (MCT1 and MCT4) expression in the gluteus medius, whilst simultaneously measuring blood lactate concentrations and acid-base balance in horses. Despite the theoretical appeal of vibration-assisted recovery, the treatment failed to produce meaningful changes in either MCT protein content or post-exercise acidosis and lactatemia compared with controls. These findings suggest that whilst vibrating platforms may offer ergonomic or subjective benefits, they do not appear to facilitate the metabolic adaptations or lactate clearance mechanisms that underpin effective recovery from intense exertion in equine athletes. Practitioners should view WBV as a supplementary comfort measure rather than a scientifically validated recovery intervention, and continue to prioritise evidence-based strategies such as controlled exercise, appropriate nutrition, and adequate rest for optimising post-competition recovery protocols.

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Key Findings

• •Whole-body vibration did not significantly alter gluteus medius MCT1 or MCT4 protein content following intense exercise
• •WBV as a recovery strategy did not reduce blood lactate levels or alter acid-base balance post-exercise
• •Monocarboxylate transporter expression was not influenced by vibrating platform recovery intervention

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