Topic:Athletic Performance
Athletic performance in horses refers to the physical capabilities and endurance of horses in various equestrian activities, including racing, dressage, show jumping, and eventing. This topic encompasses the study of physiological, biomechanical, and genetic factors that influence a horse's ability to perform athletically. Research in this area often focuses on aspects such as muscle function, cardiovascular capacity, and respiratory efficiency, as well as training methods and nutritional strategies that can enhance performance. This page collates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the determinants, assessment, and enhancement of athletic performance in horses.
Mechanics of breathing during strenuous exercise in Thoroughbred horses. The changes induced by exercise on the mechanics of breathing, as well as the simultaneous changes occurring in arterial blood gas tensions and in respiratory gas exchange were investigated in 6 healthy thoroughbred horses, performing a treadmill exercise of increasing intensity. Respiratory airflow and tidal volume (VT) were measured with ultrasonic flowmeters. Pleural pressure changes were measured by an oesophageal balloon catheter. Gas concentration of the expired air was analysed with a mass spectrometer; the oxygen consumption (VO2) and the carbon dioxide output (VCO2) were computed brea...
[Training-induced changes of reference vectors in the QRS complex of the EKG of young trotting horses]. After the onset of training ("breaking") in young standardbred horses within continuing investigations changes of vectors in the QRS-complex were considered. These changes accomplished in two stages. Mainly within the first three months of training the vector R (VR) in limb leads changed to the left and to caudal and dorsal. In a second interval between five and seven months after breaking the vector S (VS) changed to cranial. As main cause the different character of training in both phases is discussed. Additional indicators of age- or development-related causes were not found.
Diaphragm does not produce ammonia or lactate during high-intensity short-term exercise. To ascertain whether costal diaphragm engages in ammonia and lactate production (like limb muscles) during high-intensity short-term exercise, experiments were carried out on six healthy trained ponies in which phrenic venous catheters had been implanted 5-9 days earlier. Simultaneous anaerobically obtained blood samples from abdominal aorta and the phrenic vein at rest and during 4 min of exertion at 32 km/h and at a 7% grade were analyzed for blood-gas variables as well as lactate and ammonia concentrations using standard procedures. At rest, heart rate was 47 +/- 4 beats/min and the diaphra...
Clinical exercise testing in the normal thoroughbred racehorse. To evaluate normal cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses of Thoroughbred horses to a standardised treadmill exercise test, we examined 28 horses ranging in age from 1 to 4 years. The group consisted of eight yearlings, eight 2-year-olds and twelve 3 and 4-year-olds. All horses except the yearlings were in training, and either racing or ready to race, at the time of examination. None of the horses had histories of performance problems. On the first day the horses received a full physical examination, resting electrocardiogram, upper respiratory tract endoscopy and either one or two acclimat...
Association between muscle acetyl-CoA and acetylcarnitine levels in the exercising horse. Treadmill exercise of 2-min duration and increasing intensity resulted in increased formation of acetyl-CoA and acetylcarnitine in working muscle of Thoroughbred horses. At high work intensities a plateau was reached for both acetyl-CoA (approximately 50 mumols/kg dry muscle) and acetylcarnitine (approximately 20 mmol/kg dry muscle). Postexercise concentrations were significantly (P less than 0.001) correlated; [acetylcarnitine] = 349.[acetyl-CoA] + 2.4. The results indicate that approximately 350 mumols acetylcarnitine were accumulated for every 1 mumol acetyl-CoA. Under the conditions of exe...
A comparative study of interval and conventional training in thoroughbred racehorses. Eight horses with previous racing experience were used in a comparative study of training methods for Thoroughbred racehorses. They were randomly assigned to two groups of four horses each. One group was trained using an interval training method (IT) and the other using conventional training (CT) methods. Peak heart rates, heart rate recovery curves, peak plasma lactate levels, plasma lactate clearance rates and run times were used to evaluate differences in the training methods. Peak heart rates, heart rate recovery curves, and run times were not significantly different between the groups. Ho...
Application of a standardised treadmill exercise test for clinical evaluation of fitness in 10 thoroughbred racehorses. Clinical exercise stress testing is an important diagnostic tool for evaluating exercise intolerance and degree of fitness in human athletes. The purpose of this paper was to describe the methodology necessary to perform a clinical exercise test and report the results of performance evaluations on 10 Thoroughbred racehorses using this test. The test utilised an open flow gas analysis system for ease of use with untrained horses and a fast time response lactate analyser for rapid data analysis. Exercise test measurements used to evaluate fitness included peak oxygen consumption (mean VO2peak = ...
Effect of show jumping on heart rate, blood lactate and other plasma biochemical values. This study investigated some physiological responses to exercise performed by a horse during show jumping. The effects of jumping on heart rate (HR), blood lactate (LA) and some other blood values were studied in nine normal horses participating at the Belgian Junior Championship. Venous blood was sampled before and immediately after the show jumping and was analysed for packed cell volume, LA, blood glucose (GLU), total plasma protein, bicarbonate, sodium, potassium (K+), chloride, calcium and activities of plasma lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase (CK) aspartate amino transferase ...
Investigation of the vertical hoof force distribution in the equine forelimb with an instrumented horseboot. A greater knowledge of the biomechanics is necessary in equine orthopaedics, therapeutics, farriery and for the selection of athletic horses. The purpose of this study was to determine the normal distribution of the vertical component of the hoof force using a measuring boot. The measurements were carried out using 20 sound horses walking and trotting on a straight hard track. A force measuring horseshoe, attached to the foot with a boot, provided continuous recording of vertical forces at four locations on the hoof. For each measuring location, a computer program produced curves and calculate...
Kinetics of VO2 and VCO2 in the horse and comparison of five methods for determination of maximum oxygen uptake. To determine whether maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) in the horse in influenced by type of exercise test, five different protocols were evaluated in eight untrained Thoroughbreds exercised on a treadmill. With all protocols, horses were given a 5 min warm-up on a 10 per cent treadmill slope. Three protocols were at a 10 per cent slope and included: 1) increasing the running speed by 1 to 2 m/sec every 60 secs from 4 m/sec to a maximum of 12 m/sec; 2) running at 12 m/sec until fatigue; and 3) running for 3 to 4 mins at speeds ranging from 6 to 12 m/sec with rest pauses between exercise bouts. Th...
Cardiorespiratory drift during exercise in the horse. The purpose of the present study was to measure the time-course and degree of cardiovascular and respiratory 'drift' during constant submaximal exercise in the horse. One Thoroughbred and four Morgan mares were instrumented for simultaneous measurement of respiratory and blood gases which also enabled cardiac output (Q) to be calculated. Data were collected at rest, and at 10, 20 and 30 mins during a constant workload which elicited an initial exercising heart rate (HR) of 150 beats/min, and an approximate 15-fold increase in oxygen consumption (VO2). Significant cardiac and respiratory drift ...
Standardized exercise test and daily heart rate responses of thoroughbreds undergoing conventional race training and detraining. Ten healthy sedentary male Thoroughbreds with previous race training experience were studied for 14 weeks. Horses were trained for 9 weeks, using a program designed after those used commonly in the United States. Horses were trained conventionally by slow trotting (250 m/min) for 2 weeks and galloping (390 to 450 m/min) for 4 weeks, followed by 3 weeks of galloping (440 to 480 m/min) and intermittent sprinting exercises (breezes) at distances between 600 and 1,000 m (900 to 950 m/min). The horses were then pasture rested for 5 weeks. A standardized exercise test (SET) involving an 800-m gallop...
The physiological basis of training the skeleton. The Sir Frederick Smith Memorial Lecture. The skeleton consists of a series of elements with a variety of functions. In locations such as the skull, where shape or protection are of prime importance, the bone's architecture is achieved during growth under predominant genetic control. In locations such as the limbs, where the ability to withstand repetitive loading is important, only the general form of the bone will be achieved as a result of growth alone, the remaining characteristics resulting from an adaptive response to functional load bearing. In the horse, this functional load-bearing will be provided by the animal's natural act...
Diaphragmatic perfusion heterogeneity during exercise with inspiratory resistive breathing. Regional distribution of diaphragmatic blood flow (Q; 15-microns-diam radionuclide-labeled microspheres) was studied in normal (n = 7) and laryngeal hemiplegic (LH; n = 7) ponies to determine whether the added stress of inspiratory resistive breathing during maximal exercise may cause 1) redistribution of diaphragmatic Q and 2) crural diaphragmatic Q to exceed that in maximally exercising normal ponies. LH-induced augmentation of already high exertional work of breathing resulted in diminished locomotor exercise capacity so that maximal exercise in LH ponies occurred at 25 km/h compared with 3...
Proximal interphalangeal arthrodesis in the horse. A retrospective study and a modified screw technique. Arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal joint was used to treat lameness resulting from osteoarthrosis and for closed subluxation in 35 horses. Six horses had bilateral arthrodeses. Several conventional internal fixation techniques and a three converging screw method were used. Criteria for success included the horse performing its previous or intended athletic activity and the owner being satisfied with the outcome. Using these criteria, a successful outcome was obtained in 65% of the 26 animals in which adequate follow-up was available. A successful outcome was observed in four of six ho...
Effects of furosemide on the racing times of Thoroughbreds. The effects of furosemide on the racing times of 79 horses without exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) and 52 horses with EIPH were investigated. Racing times were adjusted to 1-mile equivalent racing times by 2 speed handicapping methods, and analysis of covariance was used to adjust actual racing times by winning time and distance for each race. All 3 methods of determining racing time indicated that geldings without EIPH had significantly faster racing times (P less than 0.05) when given furosemide before racing than when furosemide was not given before racing. Females and colts wi...
Pathologic findings and pathogenesis of racetrack injuries. Many lesions of the musculoskeletal system of racing horses are either acute traumatic lesions or are chronic biomechanically induced lesions that become suddenly unstable and provoke acute clinical signs. The latter lesions along with those of DJD are much more common and are of much greater overall economic importance to the racing industry than are the acute traumatic injuries. Chronic biomechanical lesions occur at predictable sites and are the result of an imbalance between repetitive microtrauma sustained in athletic performance and adaptive repair mechanisms of skeletal tissues. The dis...
Respiratory problems in the racehorse. Racetracks are ideal environments for the promotion of lower respiratory disease. The stabling is close and unclean, the population is nationally and internationally mobile, and the work the racehorse performs is traumatic to the respiratory tract. The running horse must complete a respiratory cycle with each stride. This relationship requires 130-150 breaths a minute in the running horse. Minute volume has been measured at 1300 L per minute and peak flow rates of 60 L/second in horses traveling at a modest 8 meters per second. As a comparison, the fastest running horse approaches 18 meters pe...
The use of sports medicine techniques in evaluating the problem equine athlete. Discovering the cause of poor performance in racehorses can often represent a considerable challenge eluding the more common diagnostic techniques available at the racetrack. Application of sports medicine techniques to these problem cases can aid in the diagnosis of poor performance. Central to the development of this capability has been the use of highspeed treadmills, allowing the racehorse to be evaluated in the controlled laboratory setting, at exercise intensities equivalent to those of racing. Video and cinematographic gait analysis can be used in the diagnosis of subtle lameness condit...
Upper airway function during maximal exercise in horses with obstructive upper airway lesions. Effect of surgical treatment. Upper airway pressure was measured during maximal exercise in 10 Thoroughbred racehorses with naturally occurring upper airway obstruction. Left laryngeal hemiplegia and arytenoid chondropathy resulted in substantial increases (30-40 cm H2O) in inspiratory upper airway pressure (Pl), whereas complicated aryepiglottic entrapment and subepiglottic cysts produced only modest increases (15 cm H2O) in Pl. Uncomplicated aryepiglottic entrapment and grade IV pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia produced only slight increases (3-5 cm H2O). In general, surgical procedures restored airway pressures to within...
Synchronization of locomotion and respiration in trotting ponies. The aim of the present experiment was to investigate the hypothesis that there is a respiration-locomotion coupling in trotting equines. Therefore the respiratory airflow (V), the gastric pressure (Pga) and pleural pressure (Ppl) changes and the step frequency (SF) were simultaneously recorded in 5 trotting ponies (body weight: 255 +/- 15 kg; age: 3.5 +/- 0.4 years). Airflow was measured using a Fleisch pneumotachograph fixed on a face mask. Esophageal and gastric balloon catheters coupled to pressure transducers allowed the recording of Ppl and Pga. The exercise was performed on a treadmill a...
Effect of sodium bicarbonate on racing Standardbreds. Twenty-two Standardbred horses in race training were used in a crossover experiment to determine the effect of oral sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) administration on performance and metabolic responses to a 1.6-km (1-mile) race. Horses were paired and one horse in each pair was treated with either NaHCO3 (300 mg/kg BW) or a placebo, 2.5 h before they raced against each other. Each horse was scheduled to compete in two races, approximately 1 wk apart, one on each treatment. Horses always raced in the same pairs. Fourteen horses successfully completed both races. Jugular blood samples were obtained ...
Endoscopic evaluation of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in association with poor performance in racing Standardbreds. Endoscopic examinations were performed on 965 Standardbred racehorses competing at Yonkers Raceway between June 16 and Aug 3, 1988, to demonstrate an association between exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and poor racing performance. Findings suggested that both exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease adversely affect performance, whereas a combination of the 2 conditions more severely affects racing performance than do either of the conditions individually.