Horses in the Olympics: The Role of Radiofrequency and Therapeutic Laser
Published: 1 August, 2024
Marina Rodríguez Alonso
Veterinarian | Master in equine physiotherapy | Brand & Product Leader Animal Health
In the world of equestrian sports, the health and optimal performance of horses are essential for success in competition. Radiofrequency and laser therapy are advanced technologies that are revolutionizing the preparation and recovery of high-performance horses. Here, we will explore how these treatments, both individually and combined, can benefit equine athletes at various stages of their careers, including those competing in the prestigious Olympic Games.
Preparation for Competition
Radiofrequency and laser therapy are powerful tools for preparing horses before a competition. Radiofrequency promotes vasodilation and improves blood circulation, helping to warm up muscles and reduce the risk of injury. Therapeutic laser, on the other hand, can stimulate cellular repair and reduce inflammation, preparing horses for physical exertion. Let’s see the specific effects of each technology during the pre-competition stage:
Radiofrequency:
- Optimization of Blood Circulation: Radiofrequency improves blood flow, allowing for better oxygenation and nutrition of muscle tissues. This is crucial for preparing horses before competition, ensuring their muscles are well-oxygenated and ready for physical exertion.
- Reduction of Muscle Stiffness: The application of radiofrequency helps relax muscles, reducing stiffness and preparing the horse’s body for intense activity. This prevents injuries and improves mobility.
- Increased Flexibility: By improving tissue elasticity, radiofrequency facilitates greater flexibility, essential for the athletic movements required in competition.
- Tissue Regeneration and Repair: The electrical effect of INDIBA radiofrequency stimulates the natural processes of tissue repair and regeneration, preventing micro-lesions from evolving and repairing damage quickly and effectively.
Therapeutic Laser:
- Stimulation of Cellular Regeneration: Therapeutic laser stimulates cellular regeneration, preparing the horse’s tissues for physical exertion and helping to heal any micro-lesions that may have occurred during training.
- Reduction of Inflammation: Laser therapy helps reduce any residual inflammation, ensuring horses are in the best possible condition before competition.
- Improvement of Microcirculation: Laser improves microcirculation, optimizing nutrient supply and waste removal at the cellular level, crucial for optimal performance.
Maintaining Optimal Performance During Competition
During competition, maintaining consistent performance is vital. Radiofrequency is particularly useful in this aspect, as it can be applied safely and effectively to manage muscle fatigue and stress without violating FEI regulations. This treatment helps keep the horse’s muscles relaxed and ready for the next event, improving endurance and recovery capacity.
Post-competition fatigue can affect the long-term performance of horses. Radiofrequency is ideal for immediate recovery after exercise, helping to reduce muscle pain and stiffness. This treatment facilitates the elimination of accumulated lactic acid and improves blood circulation, accelerating recovery and preparing horses for their next challenge.
Radiofrequency:
- Maintenance of Blood Flow: During competition, radiofrequency can be used to maintain adequate blood flow, ensuring the horse’s muscles receive sufficient oxygen and nutrients.
- Reduction of Acute Pain: Radiofrequency can help manage acute pain that may arise during competition, allowing the horse to continue performing at the highest level.
- Prevention of Muscle Spasms: By relaxing muscles and improving circulation, radiofrequency can prevent cramps and spasms that could affect the horse’s performance.
Post-Competition Recovery
After any competition, it is crucial that horses recover quickly, especially if there has been an injury. The combination of radiofrequency and laser accelerates the healing process by promoting tissue regeneration and reducing pain. Radiofrequency increases blood flow to injured areas, while, in conjunction with the laser, specific molecules and processes are activated in the tissues to stimulate cellular repair. This combined approach can significantly reduce recovery time and allow horses to return to regular training more quickly.
Radiofrequency:
- Acceleration of Recovery: After competition, radiofrequency accelerates the recovery of musculoskeletal tissues by improving circulation and promoting the elimination of toxins accumulated during exercise.
- Reduction of Inflammation and Pain: Radiofrequency helps reduce inflammation and post-competition pain, facilitating faster and more effective recovery.
- Tissue Regeneration and Repair: The electrical effect of INDIBA radiofrequency stimulates tissue regeneration processes, resulting in faster and more effective repair.
- Relaxation and General Recovery: Radiofrequency contributes to the general relaxation of the horse, helping to restore muscle and joint mobility and flexibility.
Laser:
- Tissue Regeneration: Laser therapy accelerates tissue regeneration, crucial for the recovery of any damage suffered during competition.
- Reduction of Pain and Inflammation: Laser helps reduce pain and inflammation, improving the horse’s comfort and speeding up recovery.
- Improvement of Circulation and Nutrient Supply: By improving circulation, the laser ensures that the horse’s tissues receive the necessary nutrients for optimal recovery.
- Treatment of Micro-lesions: Laser is effective in treating micro-lesions that may have occurred during competition, ensuring that the horse fully recovers before returning to training.
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Long-Term Maintenance Treatments
To ensure an optimal level throughout the horse’s active life, maintenance treatments are essential. Regular use of radiofrequency and laser can prevent chronic injuries and maintain the horse’s overall health. These treatments help maintain muscle elasticity and strength, ensure joint mobility, and promote quick recovery from micro-lesions that may occur during training.
Regular use of these technologies can also lead to a reduction in the long-term use of analgesic medications (corticosteroids or not), avoiding their side effects from prolonged use. They are completely painless and non-invasive tools that guarantee maximum animal welfare.
Professionalism and Appropriate Training
It is essential that these treatments be administered by qualified professionals who understand the specific needs of each horse and its discipline. Additionally, they should be complemented with a training program appropriate to the horse’s competitive level and its rider. The synergy between advanced technology, professional care, and personalized training is key to maximizing the performance and longevity of equine athletes.
This combination of cutting-edge technology, specialized care, and personalized training ensures that horses not only compete at the highest level but also maintain their health and well-being throughout their sports careers.
1.Article 1063 – Restricted Supportive Therapies. 2024 FEI VETERINARY REGULATIONS 15th Edition 2023, effective 1 January 2024. https://inside.fei.org/content/fei-veterinary-regulations-2024
IMPORTANT: Diagnosis and treatment of any animal injury or illness should always be performed by a qualified professional.
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