Application of a combined global positioning and heart rate monitoring system in jumper horses during an official competition – A preliminary study.

The aim of this research was to test the efficiency of a combined global positioning system (GPS) and heart rate monitor in assessing the physical response of horses during a show jumping competition. The study found significant increase in heart rate and blood lactate levels post-exercise prompting the conclusion that the combined GPS/heart rate monitor system could be a powerful tool for testing and monitoring the physical exertion of horses during training and competitions.

Study Design and Methodology

• The study involved six mares that underwent a standardized warm-up and jumping course while being monitored with a combined heart rate and GPS device.
• The researchers monitored and recorded the heart rate of the horses throughout the experimental period to track physiological responses.
• Venous blood lactate, a measure of physical exertion, was assessed before and after the exercise to gauge the physiological response to the physical activity.

Key Findings

• Specifically, the blood lactate levels significantly increased after the exercise, indicating a higher level of physical effort exerted during the show jumping routine.
• The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed meaningful changes in heart rate throughout the experimental period.
• The results revealed a significantly higher heart rate in the recovery period compared to the related jumping phase during the warm-up stage.
• Furthermore, when the fence height was increased from 100 cm to 125 cm during the warm-up jumps, a significant increase in heart rate was observed.

Conclusions and Implications

• These preliminary results suggest that the simultaneous logging of heart rate and speed can potentially serve as a reliable and powerful technique for field testing.
• This system could help monitor the performance and physical response of the horse to jumping effort during both training and competition.
• This provides valuable information for trainers and physical therapists to monitor and optimise performance while minimising the risk of injury or overexertion in competing horses.