The effect of training and detraining on muscle composition in the horse.

1. Percutaneous needle biopsies were obtained from six limb muscles in six horses before and during a training programme of 10 or 15 weeks designed to involve both aerobic and anaerobic work. In a subsequent detraining period, biopsies were also taken after 5 and 10 weeks. 2. Samples were analysed biochemically for enzyme activity of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), aldolase (ALD), citrate synthase (CS), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and for glycogen content. Fibre typing was carried out histochemically before and 10 weeks after commencement of training. 3. There was a significant increase in the percentage of high myosin ATPase activity pH 9-4/high oxidative (FTH) fibres with a corresponding decrease in high myosin ATPase activity pH 9-4/low oxidative (FT) fibres and low myosin ATPase activity pH 9-4/high oxidative (ST) fibres after 10 weeks training. 4. During training, enzyme activities increased progressively but at different rates with an approximate twofold increase in all of the enzymes except CPK by the end of the training period. Changes in all the muscles studied were similar. Glycogen content increased by approximately 33% which was significant when all the muscles were considered together. 5. A decrease in enzyme activity occurred after 5 weeks detraining. However at 10 weeks a consistent but inexplicable increase in all enzyme levels, except CS again occurred. 6. It is concluded that training increased greatly the activity of enzymes involved in both aerobic and anaerobic metabolism.