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Equine veterinary journal1993; 25(5); 441-445; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1993.tb02987.x

Correlation of racing performance with blood lactate and heart rate after exercise in thoroughbred horses.

Abstract: At 2 and 5 mins after an 800-m gallop, venous blood was collected from 26 Thoroughbred racehorses for measurement of blood lactate concentration, packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin concentration. In addition, 14 racehorses were given a strenuous submaximal treadmill exercise test. Heart rates during and after exercise at 10 m/sec on a treadmill inclined at 5 degrees were recorded. Blood samples at 2 and 5 mins after exercise were used to measure PCV, blood and plasma lactate and ammonia concentrations. Results of each exercise test were compared with the retrospective performance of horses in races, using Timeform ratings. The results of the field tests were also compared with the performance of each horse in a race 2 days later. There were no significant correlations between any of the measurements taken after the field test and either subsequent race performance or Timeform rating. Heart rate 4 mins after treadmill exercise was significantly correlated with Timeform rating (r = -0.565, P < 0.05). Blood and plasma lactate concentrations 2 and 5 mins after treadmill exercise were all significantly correlated with Timeform. The highest correlations were with blood lactate concentrations 2 and 5 mins after exercise (r = -0.68, P < 0.01). There were no significant correlations between Timeform and heart rate during exercise at 10 m/sec, heart rates at 1, 3 and 5 mins after exercise, PCV and plasma ammonia at 2 and 5 mins, or the differences between lactate concentration in plasma or blood at 2 and 5 mins after exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Publication Date: 1993-09-01 PubMed ID: 8223377DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1993.tb02987.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

This study explores the relationship between racing performance in thoroughbred horses and their blood lactate levels and heart rates post-exercise. However, the findings suggest that these physiological indicators do not significantly correlate with performance in subsequent races or Timeform ratings, except for heart rate four minutes post-treadmill exercise and blood and plasma lactate concentrations two and five minutes after said exercise.

Methodology

  • The researchers collected blood samples from 26 thoroughbred racehorses two and five minutes after an 800-metre gallop, measuring blood lactate concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), and haemoglobin concentration.
  • A group of 14 racehorses were subjected to a strenuous submaximal treadmill exercise. Heart rates during and after the exercise were recorded.
  • Blood samples were also drawn at two and five minutes post-exercise from these horses. The samples were used to measure PCV, blood and plasma lactate, and ammonia concentrations.
  • Results from these field and treadmill tests were compared with the horses’ retrospective performance in races, measured through Timeform ratings – a numerical representation of a horse’s performance in comparison to others.
  • The researchers also compared the field test results with each horse’s performance in a race occurring two days later.

Findings and Implications

  • No significant correlations were found between any of the measurements taken after the field test and either subsequent race performance or Timeform rating.
  • However, heart rate recorded four minutes after the treadmill exercise correlated significantly with Timeform rating. And blood and plasma lactate concentrations recorded two and five minutes after treadmill exercise significantly correlated with Timeform ratings.
  • The study, therefore, suggests that post-exercise blood lactate levels and heart rates may not be reliable indicators of racing performance in thoroughbred horses. More specifically, field tests may not provide accurate predictive information on racing performance.
  • On the other hand, controlled conditions tests (like treadmill exercise) could potentially offer more useful data, as significant correlations were found between heart rate and lactate levels post-treadmill exercise, and racing performance.

Cite This Article

APA
Evans DL, Harris RC, Snow DH. (1993). Correlation of racing performance with blood lactate and heart rate after exercise in thoroughbred horses. Equine Vet J, 25(5), 441-445. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1993.tb02987.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 25
Issue: 5
Pages: 441-445

Researcher Affiliations

Evans, D L
  • Department of Veterinary Physiology, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Harris, R C
    Snow, D H

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Breeding
      • Exercise Test / veterinary
      • Female
      • Heart Rate
      • Hematocrit / veterinary
      • Horses / blood
      • Horses / physiology
      • Lactates / blood
      • Male
      • Physical Conditioning, Animal
      • Physical Exertion / physiology
      • Physical Fitness

      Citations

      This article has been cited 19 times.
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