Effect of show jumping on heart rate, blood lactate and other plasma biochemical values.

The research article examines how the physical exertion required in horse show jumping affects the heart rate and other specific blood biomarkers in horses competing at the Belgian Junior Championship.

Research Design and Method

• The study considered the activity of horse show jumping, an event that demands significant physical exertion from the participating animals.
• The subjects of the study comprised of nine horses that participated in the Belgian Junior Championship.
• Key physiological responses being monitored in this research included heart rate, blood lactate levels, and some other plasma biochemical values. These were measured both before and after the jumping event.
• Continuous heart rate recording was done from prior to the event up until two minutes post exercise. This provided a comprehensive understanding of the cardiovascular response to the physical exertion.
• The substances analysed in the venous blood samples collected included packed cell volume, blood lactate, blood glucose, total plasma protein, bicarbonate, sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, and activities of plasma lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, aspartate amino transferase and gamma glutamyl transferase.

Results

• The conclusion from the post-event analysis showed significant alterations in the measured blood values, with the exception of potassium, blood glucose, and gamma glutamyl transferase.
• The resting values for lactate and heart rate were recorded at 0.53 +/- 0.05 mmol/litre and 43.9 +/- 1.9 beats/min respectively.
• After the equestrian event, lactate levels escalated to 9.04 +/- 0.9 mmol/litre, and the heart rate soared to a peak of 191.4 +/- 3.8 beats/min.

Conclusion and Implications

• The study concluded that despite the low speed and short duration of a show jumping event, it requires considerable exertion from a horse, implying utilization of anaerobic metabolism.
• Such a physiological response indicates the need for power training in the horse training regimen to enhance their anaerobic capacity.
• This research suggests that a better understanding of the physiological response to show jumping in horses can contribute to improved equine training and performance.