1. This trial investigated the effect of forced locomotor activity (training) on walking ability, leg posture, and growth performance, as well as carcass composition and meat quality in male fattening turkeys.

2. A flock of 744 commercial turkeys was divided into three experimental groups, either without any training period (control), training from weeks 2 to 8 (short-term), or training from weeks 2 to 21 (long-term). All birds were slaughtered at an age of 21 weeks. To study the effect of short vs. long time lapse between shackling and stunning (suspension time), each training group was split into two halves that were hooked on the shackle for either 15 s or 3 min prior to stunning.

3. Long-term physical training, compared to short-term or no training, resulted in better walking ability and in a lower percentage of leg malposition, as assessed at the end of fattening. No effect on final body weight was detected.

4. In a subsample, the composition of 80 carcasses was determined by dissection. Long-term training favoured the percentage of the drumstick over that of the breast cut in comparison to the group without any training.

5. Meat quality parameters were determined for breast muscle. The pH values 20 min post-mortem were reduced by long-term training, and the highest value was observed for a combination of no training with short suspension. After 24 h, pH values did not differ between experimental groups. The breast muscles were characterised as fast-glycolysing. Prolonged suspension time resulted in higher electrical conductivity after 24 h, and in higher a* values (redness).

6. In conclusion, the study revealed that a long-term training period improved walking ability and leg posture of heavy male turkeys. Thus, training can contribute to the improvement of animal welfare in turkey husbandry. Meat quality variables of breast muscles were partially influenced by locomotor activity and suspension time.

1. 本试验调查了强迫运动活动（训练）对雄性育肥火鸡的步行能力、腿部姿势和生长性能以及胴体成分和肉质的影响。

2. 将 744 只商品火鸡群分成三个实验组，没有任何训练期（对照）、第 2 至 8 周训练（短期）或第 2 至 21 周训练（长期）。所有鸡只在 21 周龄时被屠宰。研究 short与. 镣铐和击晕之间的长时间间隔（暂停时间），每个训练组被分成两半，在击晕前钩在镣铐上 15 秒或 3 分钟。

3. 与短期或不训练相比，长期体能训练可提高步行能力，降低腿部畸形的百分比，这是在育肥结束时评估的。未检测到对最终体重的影响。

4. 在一个子样本中，通过解剖确定了 80 具尸体的成分。与没有任何训练的组相比，长期训练的鼓槌百分比优于胸部切割的百分比。

5. 测定胸肌的肉质参数。死后20 分钟的 pH 值因长期训练而降低，最高值是在不训练和短暂停的组合中观察到的。24 小时后，实验组之间的 pH 值没有差异。乳房肌肉被表征为快速糖酵解。延长的悬浮时间导致 24 小时后更高的电导率和更高的 a* 值（发红）。

6. 总之，该研究表明，长期训练可以改善重型雄性火鸡的行走能力和腿部姿势。因此，培训有助于改善火鸡饲养中的动物福利。胸肌的肉质变量部分受运动活动和悬吊时间的影响。