Cardiovascular demands of competition on low-goal (non-elite) polo ponies.
Abstract: Knowledge of the competitive demands of different sports or activities is important for designing appropriate training programmes to ensure that animals reach a sufficient level of fitness to reduce the risk of overexertion and injury or illness and to achieve the best possible performance in relation to an individual's genetic potential. Whilst the physiological demands of many equestrian sports have been described, to the best of our knowledge the cardiovascular demands of polo have not. The aims of the present study were therefore to record heart rate during and after competitive polo games in a group of low-goal (non-elite) polo ponies in order to describe the absolute heart rates during play, the relationship of these heart rates to maximal heart rate and the characteristics of a typical chukka in terms of effort. Six low-goal polo ponies were studied during a total of 59 chukkas. Heart rate was monitored continuously before, during and after competition using a commercial heart rate monitor. Maximal heart rate was determined with field and treadmill incremental exercise tests and used to express work intensity in terms of time during play that each ponies heart rate was less than 75% HRmax, between 75 and 90% HRmax and greater than 90% HRmax. Mean maximum heart rate was not different during play or during field and treadmill exercise tests; 215+/-7 (mean +/- s.d.), 211+/-7 and 213+/-2 beats/min, respectively (P>0.05). Mean heart rate for all ponies over all chukkas was 166+/-6 beats/min with a mean chukka duration of 611+/-18 s. Of this time, 44+/-7% of the time was spent below 75% HRmax, 39+/-8% between 75 and 90% HRmax and 17+/-8% of time above 90% HRmax. When only one chukka had been played, there was a good correlation between mean heart rate during play and 3 min recovery heart rate (r = 0.63, P<0.001). Based on these observations, it is proposed that low-goal polo places moderate to high stress on the cardiovascular system.
Publication Date: 1999-10-03 PubMed ID: 10505952DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb03836.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article explores the cardiovascular demands on non-elite polo ponies during competition. It uses heart rate readings during play to understand the intensity of strain on these horses during a typical polo game.
Objective of the Study
- The purpose of this study was to understand the cardiovascular demands on low-goal polo ponies during competition. This is to help devise effective training programs for them, aimed at achieving optimal fitness levels, minimizing the risk of injury or illness, and enhancing performance.
Methodology
- The researchers used a group of six low-goal polo ponies for this study and observed their heart rates before, during, and after a total of 59 matches or chukkas.
- A commercial heart rate monitor was used to record the ponies’ heart rates.
- Maximum heart rate was established using both field and treadmill incremental exercise tests. These numbers were then used to measure the intensity of work in terms of time during the game that the ponies’ heart rate was less, between, or more than certain percentages of their maximum heart rate.
Findings
- The maximum heart rate was found to be consistent during play or during field and treadmill exercise tests.
- The mean heart rate of all ponies across all chukkas was calculated. Furthermore, the average duration of a chukka was also measured.
- The time was divided and analyzed in terms of the heart rate percentages of the ponies. It was found that a significant portion of the time was spent with the ponies’ heart rates between 75 and 90% of their maximum heart rate.
- A strong correlation was found between mean heart rate during play and 3 min recovery heart rate when only one chukka had been played.
Conclusion
- Based on the results, the researchers concluded that low-goal polo puts moderate to high stress on the cardiovascular system of the ponies.
- The knowledge can be used to design focused training programs to better condition the ponies to meet these physical demands.
Cite This Article
APA
Marlin DJ, Allen JC.
(1999).
Cardiovascular demands of competition on low-goal (non-elite) polo ponies.
Equine Vet J, 31(5), 378-382.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb03836.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Centre for Equine Studies, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Heart Rate
- Horses / physiology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Physical Fitness
- Sports
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Best R. The player-pony dyad in Polo: lessons from other sports and future directions. Anim Front 2022 Jun;12(3):54-58.
- Standing R, Best R. Strength and Reaction Time Capabilities of New Zealand Polo Players and Their Association with Polo Playing Handicap. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2019 Jul 25;4(3).
- Best R, Standing R. The Spatiotemporal Characteristics of 0-24-Goal Polo. Animals (Basel) 2019 Jul 16;9(7).
- Chanda M, Srikuea R, Cherdchutam W, Chairoungdua A, Piyachaturawat P. Modulating effects of exercise training regimen on skeletal muscle properties in female polo ponies. BMC Vet Res 2016 Nov 4;12(1):245.
- Schumacher A, Merle R, Stöckle S, Gehlen H. Player-Reported Perceptions of Lameness Risks and Contributing Factors for Polo Horses: Results from a Survey. Animals (Basel) 2025 Oct 29;15(21).
- Schumacher A, Gehlen H. Health of Polo Horses. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jun 8;14(12).
- Sanigavatee K, Poochipakorn C, Huangsaksri O, Wonghanchao T, Yalong M, Poungpuk K, Thanaudom K, Chanda M. Hematological and physiological responses in polo ponies with different field-play positions during low-goal polo matches. PLoS One 2024;19(5):e0303092.
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