Application of a standardised treadmill exercise test for clinical evaluation of fitness in 10 thoroughbred racehorses.

The research paper focuses on using standardized treadmill testing as a method for evaluating the fitness levels of 10 Thoroughbred racehorses, providing a detailed methodology and presenting the test results.

Methodology

• The researchers made use of clinical exercise stress testing, a diagnostic tool typically used in humans to evaluate exercise intolerance and fitness.
• The testing protocol implemented in the study utilized an open flow gas analysis system. Being open flow means it is less constrained, making it suitable for use with untrained horses owing to the system’s versatility and adaptability.
• Along with the open flow gas analysis system, a fast time response lacture analyser was used. This device allowed for rapid data analysis, significantly reducing the time lag between data collection and interpretation.

Testing Parameters and Results

• Measurements were taken for various aspects of the horses’ physiological responses to exercise, each of which served as an indicator of fitness. These included peak oxygen consumption (mean VO2peak), peak heart rate (mean HRpeak), peak venous blood lactate concentration (mean LAC peak), peak packed cell volume (mean PCV peak), and the maximum number of steps completed (mean STEPmax).
• The relationship between these measurements and the horses’ velocity and recovery time post exercise was assessed to better understand how the horses’ physical condition affected their performance and recovery.

Observations and Analysis

• The changes in serum creatine kinase levels resulting from the exercise test were minimal (mean delta SCK = 72 +/- 53 u/l). Creatine kinase is an enzyme that plays a key role in energy production in muscles; its levels often rise following intense physical activity, indicating muscle damage. The minimal change observed in this study suggests the exercise protocol was not excessively straining for the horses.

Significance

• This research lays the foundation for the development of standardised clinical fitness evaluations for racehorses, similar to those used in human athletes. Such a standardized methodology could potentially improve performance monitoring and help prevent injuries in racehorses.