FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J Suppl / Effect of repeated exercise and recovery on heart rate varia...
Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2007; (36); 204-209; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05540.x

Effect of repeated exercise and recovery on heart rate variability in elite trotting horses during high intensity interval training.

Abstract: Interval training is a commonly used training method for trotting horses. In addition, trainers are provided with efficient and inexpensive heart rate monitor devices for the management of training. Objective: Since the high frequency (HF) frequency peak (fHF) of heart rate variability (HRV) corresponds to the breathing frequency in combination with stride frequency during trotting, it is hypothesised that modifications of breathing and stride frequencies induced by repeated exercise could be detected from fHF. Methods: RR interval time series of 7 trotting horses were recorded during an interval training session. Interval training was made up of 5 successive 800 m high-velocity trotting runs (H1, H2...H5) separated by 1 min recovery bouts at low speed (R1, R2...R5). Fast Fourier transform (FFT) and Poincaré plot analysis techniques were applied to RR series. Results: Repeated exercise had significant effects on HRV components during interval training. Despite constant trotting velocities during high-speed and recovery, repetition induced a decrease in mean RR interval (H1: 295 +/- 19 vs. H5: 283 +/- 15 msec, P<0.05) and in the root mean square of successive differences in RR series (RMSSD; H1: 6.31 +/- 1.28 vs. H5: 5.31 +/- 1.31 msec, P<0.05). Furthermore, high-speed and recovery repetitions induced an increase in fHF (H1: 1.37 +/- 0.35 vs. H5: 1.62 +/- 0.40 Hz and R1: 0.22 +/- 0.02 vs. R4: 0.64 +/- 0.38 Hz, P0.05) and in the long term index of Poincaré plot (SD2; R1: 43.29 +/- 28.90 vs. R5: 18.19 +/- 9.35 msecs, P<0.05). Conclusions: The observed increase in fHF during the interval training could be induced by alterations of the coupling between breathing and stride frequency linked to the emergence of fatigue. The decrease in SD2 and SDRR during successive recovery bouts could be linked with a deterioration of the recovery pattern. Conclusions: HRV can provide breathing frequency data of Standardbreds during training without any respiratory device. Furthermore, HRV could provide useful makers of the emergence of fatigue states during training.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2007-04-04 PubMed ID: 17402419DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05540.xGoogle 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.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 research investigates changes in heart rate variability (HRV) in elite trotting horses during high intensity interval training. The study discovered meaningful alterations in HRV markers linked to changes in stride and breathing frequencies during exercise and recovery phases, potentially indicating early signs of fatigue.

Methodology and Participants

  • The researchers collected data from seven elite trotting horses during a high-intensity interval training session.
  • The interval training composed five successive 800-meter high-velocity trotting runs, each separated by one-minute low-speed recovery bouts.
  • They recorded the RR interval time series (the time between successive heartbeats) for each horse.
  • Fast Fourier transform (FFT), a method for transforming a function of time into a function of frequency, and Poincaré plot, a graphical representation of the correlation between successive RR intervals, were utilized to analyze the RR series.

Findings

  • Despite constant trotting velocities during the high-speed and recovery stages, repeated exercise resulted in a decrease in mean RR interval and the root mean square of successive differences in RR series (RMSSD). This condition indicates significant changes in HRV components during interval training.
  • Both high-speed and recovery repetitions prompted an increase in high frequency (HF) peak of HRV (fHF), which correlates with a horse’s breathing and stride frequencies during trotting.
  • Meanwhile, recovery resulted in a decrease in the standard deviation of the successive RR series (SDRR) and the long term index of Poincaré plot (SD2). This finding suggests a decline in the recovery pattern, probably associated with the onset of fatigue.

Conclusions

  • The observed increase in fHF during the interval training could have been influenced by modifications in the coupling between breathing and stride frequency resulting from the onset of fatigue.
  • The decrease in SD2 and SDRR during successive recovery bouts could be pointing towards a deteriorating recovery pattern.
  • The alterations seen in HRV, which can be recorded using HR monitors, can provide vital information regarding a horse’s breathing frequency during training without requiring a respiratory device.
  • These changes may also serve as useful markers of fatigue onset during training, offering valuable information to trainers to optimize training schedules and prevent overtraining.

Cite This Article

APA
Cottin F, Barrey E, Lopes P, Billat V. (2007). Effect of repeated exercise and recovery on heart rate variability in elite trotting horses during high intensity interval training. Equine Vet J Suppl(36), 204-209. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05540.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 36
Pages: 204-209

Researcher Affiliations

Cottin, F
  • Laboratory of Exercise Physiology (LEPHE), University of Evry, E.A. 3872, Genopole, Boulevard F Mitterrand, F-91025 Evry cedex, France.
Barrey, E
    Lopes, P
      Billat, V

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Electrocardiography / veterinary
        • Fatigue / diagnosis
        • Fatigue / veterinary
        • Fourier Analysis
        • Heart Rate / physiology
        • Horses / physiology
        • Physical Conditioning, Animal / methods
        • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
        • Respiration
        • Time Factors

        Citations

        This article has been cited 14 times.
        1. Darbandi H, Munsters C, Parmentier J, Havinga P. Detecting fatigue of sport horses with biomechanical gait features using inertial sensors. PLoS One 2023;18(4):e0284554.
          doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284554pubmed: 37058516google scholar: lookup
        2. McCrae P, Spong H, Golestani N, Mahnam A, Bashura Y, Pearson W. Validation of an Equine Smart Textile System for Heart Rate Variability: A Preliminary Study. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 1;13(3).
          doi: 10.3390/ani13030512pubmed: 36766401google scholar: lookup
        3. McCrae P, Spong H, Rutherford AA, Osborne V, Mahnam A, Pearson W. A Smart Textile Band Achieves High-Quality Electrocardiograms in Unrestrained Horses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 23;12(23).
          doi: 10.3390/ani12233254pubmed: 36496775google scholar: lookup
        4. Domino M, Borowska M, Kozłowska N, Trojakowska A, Zdrojkowski Ł, Jasiński T, Smyth G, Maśko M. Selection of Image Texture Analysis and Color Model in the Advanced Image Processing of Thermal Images of Horses following Exercise. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 12;12(4).
          doi: 10.3390/ani12040444pubmed: 35203152google scholar: lookup
        5. Nyerges-Bohák Z, Nagy K, Rózsa L, Póti P, Kovács L. Heart rate variability before and after 14 weeks of training in Thoroughbred horses and Standardbred trotters with different training experience. PLoS One 2021;16(12):e0259933.
          doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259933pubmed: 34882704google scholar: lookup
        6. Frick L, Schwarzwald CC, Mitchell KJ. The use of heart rate variability analysis to detect arrhythmias in horses undergoing a standard treadmill exercise test. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Jan;33(1):212-224.
          doi: 10.1111/jvim.15358pubmed: 30520119google scholar: lookup
        7. Lenoir A, Trachsel DS, Younes M, Barrey E, Robert C. Agreement between Electrocardiogram and Heart Rate Meter Is Low for the Measurement of Heart Rate Variability during Exercise in Young Endurance Horses. Front Vet Sci 2017;4:170.
          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2017.00170pubmed: 29090214google scholar: lookup
        8. Younes M, Robert C, Barrey E, Cottin F. Effects of Age, Exercise Duration, and Test Conditions on Heart Rate Variability in Young Endurance Horses. Front Physiol 2016;7:155.
          doi: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00155pubmed: 27199770google scholar: lookup
        9. Lanata A, Guidi A, Baragli P, Valenza G, Scilingo EP. A Novel Algorithm for Movement Artifact Removal in ECG Signals Acquired from Wearable Systems Applied to Horses. PLoS One 2015;10(10):e0140783.
          doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140783pubmed: 26484686google scholar: lookup
        10. Younes M, Robert C, Cottin F, Barrey E. Speed and Cardiac Recovery Variables Predict the Probability of Elimination in Equine Endurance Events. PLoS One 2015;10(8):e0137013.
          doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137013pubmed: 26322506google scholar: lookup
        11. Galotti A, Eisersiö M, Yngvesson J, Lanatà A, Maglieri V, Palagi E, Baragli P. Rein tension and heart rate variability in horses: an experiment on experience. J Anim Sci 2025 Jan 4;103.
          doi: 10.1093/jas/skaf146pubmed: 40331242google scholar: lookup
        12. Wonghanchao T, Sanigavatee K, Poochipakorn C, Huangsaksri O, Chanda M. Dynamic Adaptation of Heart Rate and Autonomic Regulation During Training and Recovery Periods in Response to a 12-Week Structured Exercise Programme in Untrained Adult and Geriatric Horses. Animals (Basel) 2025 Apr 13;15(8).
          doi: 10.3390/ani15081122pubmed: 40281956google scholar: lookup
        13. Sanigavatee K, Poochipakorn C, Huangsaksri O, Vichitkraivin S, Pakdeelikhit S, Chotiyothin W, Wongkosoljit S, Wonghanchao T, Chanda M. A structured exercise regimen enhances autonomic function compared to unstructured physical activities in geriatric horses. Sci Rep 2025 Jan 20;15(1):2493.
          doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-86679-4pubmed: 39833241google scholar: lookup
        14. Wonghanchao T, Huangsaksri O, Sanigavatee K, Poochipakorn C, Chanprame S, Wongkosoljit S, Chotiyothin W, Rattanayanon N, Kiawwan R, Chanda M. Autonomic regulation in athletic horses repetitively participating in two novice jumping classes on consecutive days. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1456733.
          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1456733pubmed: 39502949google scholar: lookup
        Subscribe to our newsletter
        Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.