Muscle fibre composition and glycogen depletion in horses competing in an endurance ride

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Abstract
An investigation into fiber composition and glycogen depletion pattern within the middle gluteal of 16 horses participating in an 80 km endurance ride was carried out. Although the proportion of slow twitch, high oxidative (ST) fibers in the horses varied between 7-38%, horses with the highest proportion of these fibers usually had the best performance records. The cross-sectional area of the fast twitch, low oxidative (FT) fibers was greatest, with the ST and fast twitch, high oxidative (FTH) being similar in size. Most marked histological evidence of glycogen depletion after the ride was in the ST fibers, which were apparently totally depleted. A variable degree of depletion was found in the FTH and FT fibers. Biochemical measurement of muscle glycogen showed a 56 .+-. 7.2% (mean .+-. SEM [standard error of the mean]) decrease in content.

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