Assessing muscle mitochondrial function to improve training, performance and to early detect exertional myopathies in sport horses

High-resolution respirometry is a new advanced technology that measures OXPHOS capacities, i.e. the ability of the muscle cell to produce energy in presence of oxygen. These studies demonstrated that OXPHOS capacities correlate with fitness level and racing performance. Furthermore, altered OXPHOS capacities indicate risk of developing exercise-induced myopathy thus contributing to maintain welfare by adapting training and management of the horse to this risk