Cardio-metabolic responses during horse riding at three different speeds.
Abstract: The purpose of the present investigation was to study the metabolic demand and cardiovascular response during a typical horse riding session. Methods: To this aim, 19 (9 male, 10 female) riders, regularly participating in competitions, were enrolled. They underwent a preliminary, incremental exercise test on a cycle-ergometer to assess their anaerobic threshold (AT) and VO2max. Then, participants underwent a riding training session, which comprised periods of walking, trotting, and cantering for a total of 20 min. Oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), and heart rate (HR) were obtained throughout the preliminary and riding test by means of a portable metabolic system. Moreover, excess of CO2 production (CO2excess) and oxygen pulse (OP) were also calculated to obtain an estimate of anaerobic glycolysis and stroke volume. Results: The main result was that all collected parameters remained below the AT level throughout the riding session, with the exception of HR that approached the AT level only during cantering. In detail, during cantering, average VO2, VCO2, HR, CO2excess, and OP values were 1289 ± 331 mL min(-1), 1326 ± 266 mL min(-1), 158 ± 22 bpm, 215 ± 119 mL min(-1), and 7.8 ± 1.6 mL/bpm, respectively. Conclusions: It was concluded that riding imposes only light to moderate stress on the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems. Moreover, cardiovascular reserve is only moderately recruited in terms of inotropism, while chronotropism can be stimulated more.
Publication Date: 2016-08-02 PubMed ID: 27485468DOI: 10.1007/s00421-016-3450-7Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research investigated the metabolic demand and cardiovascular response during a typical horse riding session, finding that this activity only puts light to moderate stress on the body’s aerobic and anaerobic energy systems.
Methods
- The study enrolled 19 riders, 9 males and 10 females, who regularly participate in competitions.
- These participants underwent a preliminary, incremental exercise test on a cycle-ergometer to assess their anaerobic threshold (AT) and maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max).
- After this test, the participants undertook a 20-minute horse riding training session, which included periods of walking, trotting, and cantering.
Data Collection
- Oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), and heart rate (HR) were measured and recorded throughout both the preliminary exercise test and the horse riding session using a portable metabolic system.
- The researchers calculated the excess CO2 production (CO2excess) and oxygen pulse (OP) to estimate the effect on anaerobic glycolysis and stroke volume, respectively.
Results
- Results showed that the physiological parameters measured stayed below the anaerobic threshold during the horse-riding session, except for heart rate which reached the threshold only when participants were cantering.
- Detailed results for cantering were average VO2 of 1289 mL/min, VCO2 of 1326 mL/min, HR at 158 bpm, CO2excess of 215 mL/min, and OP of 7.8 mL/bpm.
Conclusion
- Based on the results, the researchers concluded that horse riding imposes only light to moderate stress on the body’s aerobic and anaerobic energy systems.
- While the cardiovascular reserve is only moderately affected (in terms of inotropism, or the force of heart contraction), the rate of the heart’s activity (chronotropism) can be more significantly stimulated.
Cite This Article
APA
Sainas G, Melis S, Corona F, Loi A, Ghiani G, Milia R, Tocco F, Marongiu E, Crisafulli A.
(2016).
Cardio-metabolic responses during horse riding at three different speeds.
Eur J Appl Physiol, 116(10), 1985-1992.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-016-3450-7 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Medical Sciences, Sports Physiology Laboratory, University of Cagliari (Italy), Via Porcell 4, 09124, Cagliari, Italy.
- Department of Medical Sciences, Sports Physiology Laboratory, University of Cagliari (Italy), Via Porcell 4, 09124, Cagliari, Italy.
- Department of Medical Sciences, Sports Physiology Laboratory, University of Cagliari (Italy), Via Porcell 4, 09124, Cagliari, Italy.
- Department of Medical Sciences, Sports Physiology Laboratory, University of Cagliari (Italy), Via Porcell 4, 09124, Cagliari, Italy.
- Department of Medical Sciences, Sports Physiology Laboratory, University of Cagliari (Italy), Via Porcell 4, 09124, Cagliari, Italy.
- Department of Medical Sciences, Sports Physiology Laboratory, University of Cagliari (Italy), Via Porcell 4, 09124, Cagliari, Italy.
- Department of Medical Sciences, Sports Physiology Laboratory, University of Cagliari (Italy), Via Porcell 4, 09124, Cagliari, Italy.
- Department of Medical Sciences, Sports Physiology Laboratory, University of Cagliari (Italy), Via Porcell 4, 09124, Cagliari, Italy.
- Department of Medical Sciences, Sports Physiology Laboratory, University of Cagliari (Italy), Via Porcell 4, 09124, Cagliari, Italy. crisafulli@tiscali.it.
MeSH Terms
- Anaerobic Threshold / physiology
- Animals
- Energy Metabolism / physiology
- Equine-Assisted Therapy / methods
- Female
- Heart Rate / physiology
- Horses
- Humans
- Male
- Oxygen Consumption / physiology
- Physical Exertion / physiology
- Physical Fitness / physiology
- Pulmonary Gas Exchange / physiology
- Sports / physiology
- Task Performance and Analysis
References
This article includes 26 references
- Gutiérrez Rincón JA, Vives Turcó J, Muro Martínez I, Casas Vaqué I. A comparative study of the metabolic effort expended by horse riders during a jumping competition.. Br J Sports Med 1992 Mar;26(1):33-5.
- Del Rosario-Montejo O, Molina-Rueda F, Muñoz-Lasa S, Alguacil-Diego IM. Effectiveness of equine therapy in children with psychomotor impairment.. Neurologia 2015 Sep;30(7):425-32.
- Beaver WL, Wasserman K, Whipp BJ. Bicarbonate buffering of lactic acid generated during exercise.. J Appl Physiol (1985) 1986 Feb;60(2):472-8.
- Westerling D. A study of physical demands in riding.. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1983;50(3):373-82.
- Roecker K, Mayer F, Striegel H, Dickhuth HH. Increase characteristics of the cumulated excess-CO2 and the lactate concentration during exercise.. Int J Sports Med 2000 Aug;21(6):419-23.
- Yano T, Horiuchi M, Yunoki T, Ogata H. Kinetics of CO(2) excessive expiration in constant-load exercise.. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2002 Jun;42(2):152-7.
- Crisafulli A, Pittau G, Lorrai L, Carcassi AM, Cominu M, Tocco F, Melis F, Concu A. Poor reliability of heart rate monitoring to assess oxygen uptake during field training.. Int J Sports Med 2006 Jan;27(1):55-9.
- Xu F, Rhodes EC. Oxygen uptake kinetics during exercise.. Sports Med 1999 May;27(5):313-27.
- Nurenberg JR, Schleifer SJ, Shaffer TM, Yellin M, Desai PJ, Amin R, Bouchard A, Montalvo C. Animal-assisted therapy with chronic psychiatric inpatients: equine-assisted psychotherapy and aggressive behavior.. Psychiatr Serv 2015 Jan 1;66(1):80-6.
- Nobrega AC, O'Leary D, Silva BM, Marongiu E, Piepoli MF, Crisafulli A. Neural regulation of cardiovascular response to exercise: role of central command and peripheral afferents.. Biomed Res Int 2014;2014:478965.
- Tocco F, Sanna I, Mulliri G, Magnani S, Todde F, Mura R, Ghiani G, Concu A, Melis F, Crisafulli A. Heart Rate Unreliability during Interval Training Recovery in Middle Distance Runners.. J Sports Sci Med 2015 Jun;14(2):466-72.
- Hirakoba K, Maruyama A, Misaka K. Effect of acute sodium bicarbonate ingestion on excess CO2 output during incremental exercise.. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1993;66(6):536-41.
- Maćków A, Małachowska-Sobieska M, Demczuk-Włodarczyk E, Sidorowska M, Szklarska A, Lipowicz A. Influence of neurophysiological hippotherapy on the transference of the centre of gravity among children with cerebral palsy.. Ortop Traumatol Rehabil 2014 Nov-Dec;16(6):581-93.
- Crisafulli A, Piras F, Chiappori P, Vitelli S, Caria MA, Lobina A, Milia R, Tocco F, Concu A, Melis F. Estimating stroke volume from oxygen pulse during exercise.. Physiol Meas 2007 Oct;28(10):1201-12.
- Devienne MF, Guezennec CY. Energy expenditure of horse riding.. Eur J Appl Physiol 2000 Aug;82(5-6):499-503.
- Billat VL, Sirvent P, Py G, Koralsztein JP, Mercier J. The concept of maximal lactate steady state: a bridge between biochemistry, physiology and sport science.. Sports Med 2003;33(6):407-26.
- Angius L, Cominu M, Filippi M, Piredda C, Migliaccio GM, Pinna M, Milia R, Tocco F, Concu A, Crisafulli A. Measurement of pulmonary gas exchange variables and lactic anaerobic capacity during field testing in elite indoor football players.. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2013 Oct;53(5):461-9.
- Beaver WL, Wasserman K, Whipp BJ. A new method for detecting anaerobic threshold by gas exchange.. J Appl Physiol (1985) 1986 Jun;60(6):2020-7.
- Crisafulli A, Salis E, Pittau G, Lorrai L, Tocco F, Melis F, Pagliaro P, Concu A. Modulation of cardiac contractility by muscle metaboreflex following efforts of different intensities in humans.. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2006 Dec;291(6):H3035-42.
- Minetti AE, ArdigO LP, Reinach E, Saibene F. The relationship between mechanical work and energy expenditure of locomotion in horses.. J Exp Biol 1999 Sep;202(Pt 17):2329-38.
- Milia R, Roberto S, Pinna M, Palazzolo G, Sanna I, Omeri M, Piredda S, Migliaccio G, Concu A, Crisafulli A. Physiological responses and energy expenditure during competitive fencing.. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2014 Mar;39(3):324-8.
- Crisafulli A, Vitelli S, Cappai I, Milia R, Tocco F, Melis F, Concu A. Physiological responses and energy cost during a simulation of a Muay Thai boxing match.. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2009 Apr;34(2):143-50.
- Howley ET, Bassett DR Jr, Welch HG. Criteria for maximal oxygen uptake: review and commentary.. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1995 Sep;27(9):1292-301.
- Anderson GS, Rhodes EC. A review of blood lactate and ventilatory methods of detecting transition thresholds.. Sports Med 1989 Jul;8(1):43-55.
- Hirakoba K, Maruyama A, Misaka K. Prediction of blood lactate accumulation from excess CO2 output during constant exercise.. Appl Human Sci 1996 Sep;15(5):205-10.
- Crisafulli A, Melis F, Tocco F, Laconi P, Lai C, Concu A. External mechanical work versus oxidative energy consumption ratio during a basketball field test.. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2002 Dec;42(4):409-17.
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Demarie S, Chirico E, Bratta C, Cortis C. Puberal and Adolescent Horse Riders' Fitness during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Effects of Training Restrictions on Health-Related and Functional Motor Abilities.. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022 May 24;19(11).
- Hobbs SJ, St George L, Reed J, Stockley R, Thetford C, Sinclair J, Williams J, Nankervis K, Clayton HM. A scoping review of determinants of performance in dressage.. PeerJ 2020;8:e9022.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
