Comparison of aerobic capacity between racing standardbred horses.
Abstract: A standardized treadmill test was used to compare metabolic and ventilatory measurements between 10 standardbred racehorses. The horses were divided into two groups: group A (n = 5) had mean racing speeds of 4.4 s faster than group B (n = 5) over a 1-mi. distance. Each horse was fitted with a venous catheter and connected to a valved gas-collection system. The exercise test consisted of 1-min incremental workloads ranging from 4.0 to 12.0 m/s at a treadmill incline of 3 degrees. Group A had significantly higher (P < 0.05) measurements of maximal O2 consumption (VO2max), O2 pulse, and tidal volume. Venous lactate concentration and respiratory exchange ratio measured at VO2max were also significantly higher (P 1 and venous blood lactate concentration of > 4 mmol/l; however, group A was able to complete a significantly higher (P < 0.01) number of workloads before fatigue. The high aerobic and anaerobic capacity of group A horses may be a major contributor to a faster racing performance.
Publication Date: 1995-04-01 PubMed ID: 7615454DOI: 10.1152/jappl.1995.78.4.1447Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research explored the difference in aerobic capacity between two groups of standardbred racehorses and found that the group with higher mean racing speeds also displayed higher aerobic and anaerobic capacity, contributing to their better performance.
Research Method
- The research involved 10 standardbred racehorses divided into two groups. Group A consisted of five horses with mean racing speeds of 4.4 seconds faster than the other five horses in Group B over a one-mile distance.
- Each horse was fitted with a venous catheter and connected to a valved gas-collection system for ease of obtaining metabolic and ventilatory measurements.
- The exercise test involved 1-minute incremental workloads, ranging from speeds 4.0 to 12.0 m/s at a treadmill incline of 3°.
Results and Findings
- Group A showed significantly higher measurements in several areas. These included maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), oxygen pulse, and tidal volume, all crucial factors related to aerobic fitness and endurance.
- The study also noted noticeable differences in the venous lactate concentration and respiratory exchange ratio measured at VO2max level. Again, these measurements were significantly higher in Group A.
- Approximately the same treadmill velocities were needed for both groups to achieve a respiratory exchange ratio of greater than 1 and a venous blood lactate concentration higher than 4 mmol/l. However, Group A could tirelessly complete a significantly higher number of workloads before experiencing fatigue, indicating superior exercise endurance.
Conclusion
- From these results, the study concluded that the high aerobic and anaerobic capacity of Group A horses potentially contributes to their faster racing performance when compared with Group B horses.
- This study highlights the meaningful connection between the inherent physical capacities of racing horses and their consequent performance. Further research may still be needed to better understand the implications of these findings.
Cite This Article
APA
Gauvreau GM, Staempfli H, McCutcheon LJ, Young SS, McDonell WN.
(1995).
Comparison of aerobic capacity between racing standardbred horses.
J Appl Physiol (1985), 78(4), 1447-1451.
https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1995.78.4.1447 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses / physiology
- Oxygen Consumption / physiology
- Physical Exertion / physiology
- Respiration / physiology
- Respiratory Function Tests
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Mercier Q, Aftalion A. Optimal speed in Thoroughbred horse racing.. PLoS One 2020;15(12):e0235024.
- Greco-Otto P, Bond S, Sides R, Bayly W, Leguillette R. Conditioning equine athletes on water treadmills significantly improves peak oxygen consumption.. Vet Rec 2020 Feb 29;186(8):250.
- Castejón-Riber C, Muñoz A, Trigo P, Riber C, Santisteban R, Castejón F. Comparative ergoespirometric adaptations to a treadmill exercise test in untrained show Andalusian and Arabian horses.. Vet Res Commun 2012 Mar;36(1):41-6.
- Gauvreau GM, Young SS, Staempfli H, McCutcheon LJ, Wilson BA, McDonell WN. The relationship between respiratory exchange ratio, plasma lactate and muscle lactate concentrations in exercising horses using a valved gas collection system.. Can J Vet Res 1996 Jul;60(3):161-71.
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