"Occurrence of the genus Bursaphelenchus Fuchs, 1937 (Nematoda: Aphelenchida) in Spanish conifer forests" published on 01 Jan 2004 by Brill.

Background: High‐intensity interval training (HIIT) is a more efficient method to improve exercise capacity than moderate‐intensity continuous training (MICT) because of its greater physiological stimulus. Objective: The aim of this protocol is to evaluate the efficacy of HIIT on maximal aerobic potency in dogs as compared to MICT. Methods: This protocol is for a randomised, blinded controlled clinical trial, with three parallel groups for the purpose of demonstrating superiority. Thirty dogs aged between 12 and 84 months of both sexes and different breeds will be included. Dogs, before initiating and after finalising the training will perform an incremental exercise test on a treadmill to obtain maximal speed and lactate threshold; resting parameters of heart and respiratory rate, left ventricle chamber and systolic function will be measured. Dogs assigned to each intervention will endure a 42‐min session of HIIT or MICT during 12 weeks. HIIT comprises four intervals of 4 min each at a load of 85%, alternating with a 4‐min resting period. MICT group will have a continuous load of 60%. The control group will remain in a cage. An intention‐to‐treat statistical analysis will be implemented. Analysis of covariance will be used to estimate the effect of HIIT compared with MICT training on maximal aerobic potency, aerobic resistance, systolic function at rest, left ventricle chamber measurements and indexes, respiratory rate and HR at rest. Conclusion: Significant time and effort are invested into training sports/working dogs, which could benefit from improving physical capacity by means of the HIIT methodology.

Colombian Paso horses (CPs) excel in gait competitions due to their endurance, speed, and precision, which demand a high level of cardiorespiratory fitness. However, their training regimes often lack scientific support, and few studies have linked physiological parameters to optimal training zones. This study aimed to estimate the aerobic lactate threshold (LTaer) using mathematical methods and to correlate it with heart rate (HR) zones and blood lactate. Eighteen CPs were evaluated and classified into trained (GT) and untrained (GD) groups. All animals underwent a field-based incremental exercise test (IET) with continuous HR monitoring and serial blood sampling for lactate, creatinine, BUN, AST, and CK analysis. LTaer was estimated using three methods: visual inspection, and fixed thresholds at 2 mmol/L (ZL2), and 4 mmol/L (ZL4). HR zones corresponding to each threshold were then calculated based on a maximum estimated HR of 220 bpm. The visual method placed LTaer in zone 2 for both groups. ZL2 located the threshold in zone 2 for GT and in zone 3 for GD, whereas ZL4 placed the threshold in zone 4 for both groups. Although no intergroup differences in lactate or HR were observed, intragroup differences emerged above 75% of HRmax, indicating exponential lactate accumulation. Biochemical parameters revealed significant pre- to post-exercise changes, but no differences between groups, suggesting a standardized workload. This is the first study to propose field-based prediction of LTaer in CPs using HR derived from wearable technologies, based on blood lactate and a standardized exercise test’s results. Correlating HR zones with lactate thresholds facilitates workload analysis in the field. Future studies should investigate the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) in this breed.

Colombian Paso Horses (CPH) excel in gait competitions due to their endurance, speed, and precision, which demand a high level of cardiorespiratory fitness. However, their training often lacks scientific support, and few studies have linked physiological pa-rameters to optimal training zones. This study aimed to estimate the aerobic lactate threshold (LTaer) using non-invasive methods and to correlate it with heart rate (HR) zones. Eighteen CPH were evaluated and classified into trained (GT) and untrained (GD) groups. All animals underwent a field-based incremental exercise test (IET) with con-tinuous HR monitoring and serial blood sampling for lactate, creatinine, urea, AST, and CK analysis. LTaer was estimated using three methods: visual inspection, fixed thresholds at 2 mmol/L (ZL2), and 4 mmol/L (ZL4). HR zones corresponding to each threshold were then calculated based on a maximum estimated HR of 220 bpm. The visual method placed LTaer in zone 2 for both groups. ZL2 located the threshold in zone 2 for GT and in zone 3 for GD, whereas ZL4 placed the threshold in zone 4 for both groups. Although no intergroup differences in lactate or HR were observed, intragroup differences emerged above 75% of HRmax, indicating exponential lactate accumulation. Biomarker analysis revealed significant pre- to post-exercise changes, but no differences between groups, suggesting a standardized workload. This is the first study to propose field-based pre-diction of LTaer in CPH using HR derived from wearable technologies and a standardized exercise test. Correlating HR zones with lactate thresholds facilitates workload analysis in the field when blood biomarkers are not available. Future studies should investigate the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) in this breed.