Zeroing In On Minimum Frequency

The July and before posts had speculated minimum frequency of speed work for FR (race appropriate fracture resistance) to range from 3-8 days. More frequent speed work than 3 days--let's say two day spacing or every day-- creates risk of fracture from doing too much. As to every 3 days, we know from Preston Burch training there's very little risk to a 3 day interval. It was speculated that Iver's 4 day interval is probably closest to the ideal spacing in terms of engaging the appropriate modeling process at the cellular level. But, if we increase the interval from 4 days on up through 8 days, each succeeding day of waiting for speed work creates less and less protection in terms of FR till we get to the 8th day which is thought to give the barest of minimums in benefits. Over 8 days, meaning a 9 day or more interval is thought to be useless--see Warpass and numerous others.

But, the above conclusions were drawn purely from a molecular/cellular/atomic analysis, and there were some other things yet to cover as noted in my "Wrapping Up Frequency" post of 7/14/09.

That post posed further questions:
1. Are there other remodeling processes to consider besides the micro or cellular processes?
2. What about remodeling and the larger than microscopic structures such as the osteons or the leg bones in their entirety?
3. Detraining and its affect on FR.

The July posts to present went on to consider #2 above, and the conclusion was that for reasons of structure and function the "larger" structures within the bone tissue, and the bone itself fail to provide any concerns in terms of the frequency with which the horse does speed work.

This leaves two questions. Detraining will be a big undertaking, and I'll look at that last. First up is the question whether there may be other remodeling processes to consider besides what has already been considered with bone glue protein density and pressure, and compaction and increase in volume of microscopic tissue. In this regard I am primarily concerned with the role of calcification and the effect of exercise on the calcification process.

Calcification, the rate of calcification, the correct rate and end product of calcification of the bone matrix needs to be considered, although unknown at this time if any conclusions will be possible. The questions, next post.

Training:
Tues. Oct. 27. Skipped this one. First day time winter chill, standing water, and motivation battered by continual bad weather does in RR. Off due to lack of motivation. Second day off after Sunday's rains. Another deluge coming in on Thurs.