The use of the water treadmill for the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries in the sport horse

Summary of the main physiological adaptations to swimming exercise (full flotation) and exercise on a water treadmill (semiflotation) in the horse_ Values are presented as maximum and minimum means reported in the literature

Parameters	Swimming	Water treadmill without water	Water treadmill
Velocity, m/s	1.08–1.15	1.11–1.67
VO2, ml/kg/min	Not measured	8.93–9.57	10.44–16.7
RR, breaths/min	25.0–30.0	37.6–39.7	33.5–51.9
Vt, L	Not measured	3.8–3.9	4.2–6.0
VE, L/min	Not measured	152.1–158.3	169.3–242.2
HR, beats/min	182–190	49–76	60–97
LA, mmol/l	2.3–2.8	0.7–1.4	0.7–2.0

Physical properties of water useful for rehabilitation and training purposes and therapeutic effects (according to references 16 and 31, with modifications)

Physical property	Therapeutic effects
Buoyancy	Reduction of the axial forces supported by joints and surrounding soft tissues
	Reduction of cardiovascular effort (lesser HR increase than during on-land exercise)
Viscosity. and drag force	Improvement of the range of motion
	Increase in muscle strength and power
	Increase in neuromotor control
Hydrostatic pressure	Reduction of oedema and inflammation
	Promotion of lymphatic return, increasing stroke volume
	Increases in blood flow to the muscles, and in diffusion of metabolic waste products from
	muscles to blood
	Reduction of pain
	Increase in the range of motion
	Muscle strengthening
Temperature (cold)	Reduction of blood flow
	Control of oedema, inflammation and pain
	Reduction of fatigue