Effects of Fatigue on Stride Parameters in Thoroughbred Racehorses During Races.
Abstract: Exercise intensity during races is considerably high. To understand how Thoroughbreds adapt to fatigue conditions, stride parameters for the first and second lap of the race (2400-m, turf) were compared. A high-speed video system was set in a right lateral position about 20 m before the finishing post, with a field view width of about 16 m. The stride frequency, the length between each limb (hind step, diagonal step, fore step, and airborne step), and stride length were measured and analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model. Compared with the first lap, the mean ± standard deviation values in the second lap for running speed (17.3 ± 1.3 to 16.0 ± 0.9 m/s, P < .01), stride frequency (2.34 ± 0.08 to 2.21 ± 0.09 strides/s, P < .01) and stride length (7.42 ± 0.52 to 7.25 ± 0.38 m, P = .04) significantly decreased. Furthermore, significant changes (P < .01) were observed in the diagonal step length (2.32 ± 0.34 to 1.88 ± 0.23 m), hind step (1.19 ± 0.09 to 1.26 ± 0.10 m) and airborne step length (2.43 ± 0.25 to 2.61 ± 0.18 m). When controlled for speed, stride frequency (P = .02) and diagonal step length (P < .01) decreased, while the length of the hind step (P < .01), fore step (P < .01), airborne step (P < .01), and stride (P = .02) increased with fatigue in the second lap. These results suggest that horses could not extend their body when fatigued.
Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2021-03-16 PubMed ID: 33993952DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103447Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research investigates the impact of fatigue on the stride parameters of Thoroughbred racehorses during races. It found that fatigue leads to a decrease in stride frequency, stride length, and running speed, while the length of the hind step, fore step, airborne step, and stride increased with fatigue.
Methodology
- The study gathers data from Thoroughbred horse races, specifically measuring stride parameters for the first and second lap of a 2400 meter, turf race.
- The researchers set up a high-speed video system positioned about 20 meters before the finishing post, focusing on a field view width of approximately 16 meters.
- Stride frequency, step lengths (hind, diagonal, fore, and airborne), and stride length were all measured with this setup.
- The data collected were subsequently analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model in order to draw conclusions about the impact of fatigue on strides.
Findings
- A notable decrease in stride frequency, stride length, and running speed was observed during the second lap, when the horses are likely experiencing fatigue.
- Furthermore, significant changes were reported in the lengths of the diagonal step, hind step, and the airborne step with fatigue setting in during the second lap.
- When controlled for speed, the data shows that stride frequency and diagonal step length decrease, while lengths of the hind step, fore step, airborne step, and stride increase with fatigue. This suggests that when a horse is experiencing fatigue, it cannot extend its body as much.
Conclusion
- The results of the study provide valuable insight into the impact of fatigue on the stride parameters of thoroughbred racehorses. The findings may inform how horses are trained, potentially improving performance in long races by better understanding and managing fatigue.
Cite This Article
APA
Takahashi Y, Takahashi T, Mukai K, Ohmura H.
(2021).
Effects of Fatigue on Stride Parameters in Thoroughbred Racehorses During Races.
J Equine Vet Sci, 101, 103447.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103447 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Sports Science Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan. Electronic address: yuji_takahashi@equinst.go.jp.
- Sports Science Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan.
- Sports Science Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan.
- Sports Science Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Extremities
- Fatigue / veterinary
- Gait
- Horses
- Linear Models
- Running
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- 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.
- Pasquiet B, Biau S, Trébot Q, Debril JF, Durand F, Fradet L. Detection of Horse Locomotion Modifications Due to Training with Inertial Measurement Units: A Proof-of-Concept. Sensors (Basel) 2022 Jul 1;22(13).
- 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).
- Busse NI, Gonzalez ML, Krason ML, Johnson SE. β-Hydroxy β-methylbutyrate supplementation to adult Thoroughbred geldings increases type IIA fiber content in the gluteus medius. J Anim Sci 2021 Oct 1;99(10).
- Busechian S, Di Salvo A, Orvieto S, Rueca F, Villella C, Sollevanti G, Pieramati C, Nisi I, Della Rocca G. Changes in Fitness Parameters in Ridden Trained Showjumping Horses After Healing of Gastric Ulcers: Preliminary Results. Vet Sci 2025 Dec 21;13(1).
- van den Broek M, Chan ZYS, De Bruyne C, Garcia-Alamo K, Skotarek Loch S, Pfau T. Association Between Stride Parameters and Racetrack Curvature for Thoroughbred Chuckwagon Horses. Sensors (Basel) 2025 Dec 4;25(23).
- Siegers EW, Parmentier JIM, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM, Munsters CCBM, Serra Bragança FM. Gait kinematics at trot before and after repeated ridden exercise tests in young Friesian stallions during a fatiguing 10-week training program. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1456424.
- Bogossian PM, Nattala U, Wong ASM, Morrice-West AV, Zhang GZ, Rana P, Whitton RC, Hitchens PL. A machine learning approach to identify stride characteristics predictive of musculoskeletal injury, enforced rest and retirement in Thoroughbred racehorses. Sci Rep 2024 Nov 22;14(1):28967.
- Schrurs C, Dubois G, Van Erck-Westergren E, Gardner DS. Cardiovascular Fitness and Stride Acceleration in Race-Pace Workouts for the Prediction of Performance in Thoroughbreds. Animals (Basel) 2024 Apr 29;14(9).
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