Results of multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis of variables associated with exertional rhabdomyolysis syndrome in Swedish Standardbred trotters.

<p>Models were derived using a stepwise forward selection approach with variables retained in the model if they were significantly associated with ERS (P_Wald <0.05) and/or improved model fit (P_LRS <0.05). Pwald =  Wald test P-value; P_LRS  =  Likelihood Ratio Statistic P-value.</p

Management regimes used for prevention of ERS reported by 22 Standardbred trainers in Sweden with one or more horses with ERS in training from March 2006- February 2007.

<p>Management regimes used for prevention of ERS reported by 22 Standardbred trainers in Sweden with one or more horses with ERS in training from March 2006- February 2007.</p

Descriptive statistics of continuous horse-level and performance variables for Swedish Standardbred trotters with (cases) and without (controls) exertional rhabdomyolysis syndrome.

<p>sd  =  standard deviation; iqr  =  inter-quartile range.</p

Pre- and post exercise muscle enzyme activites.

<p>Graph illustrating the pre and post exercise (a) CK activity and (b) AST activity for each GYS1 genotype (n = 4) (HH = homozygotes, HR = heterozygote, RR = control).</p

Signalment of all horses participating in each section of the study, showing no significant differences between matched groups.

<p>Signalment of all horses participating in each section of the study, showing no significant differences between matched groups.</p

Muscle fibre type distributions.

<p>Boxplots illustrating the muscle fibre type composition of horses homozygous (HH) (n = 4), heterozygous (HR) (n = 8) and control horses (RR) (n = 6). * Denotes significant differences between individual groups (p<0.05) following post- hoc analysis.</p

Resting muscle enzyme activities.

<p>Box plots illustrating the resting (a) CK activity and (b) AST activity for each GYS1 genotype (n = 8) (HH = homozygotes, HR = heterozygote, RR = control) * Denotes significant differences between individual groups (p<0.05) following post- hoc analysis.</p