Influence of Stretching Exercises, Warm-Up, or Cool-Down on the Physical Performance of Mangalarga Marchador Horses.

The research investigates the effects of warm-up exercises, stretching, and cool-down activities on the performance of Mangalarga Marchador horses in Brazil during marcha tests. The study concluded that warm-ups or stretching before the tests have a beneficial impact on the horses’ performance.

Study Description and Methodology

• The article is based on a study conducted on the Mangalarga Marchador breed of horses, which is the most populous horse breed in Brazil. These horses are known for their specific 4-beat stepping gait and are frequently used in equestrian activities.
• The research aims to provide scientific backing to practices that were previously based on empirical evidence. The focus is on investigating the impact of different exercise protocols on the physical performance of the horses in competitions.
• To carry out the study, six Mangalarga Marchador horses aged between 3 and 7 years, and weighing an average of 400 kg, were used. The experiment had a pre-experimental stage lasting 46 days for the physical conditioning of the horses and an experimental phase spanning 42 days, with marcha tests administered every seven days.
• For the marcha tests, a Latin square design was used. Each horse underwent six different exercise protocols including a basic 50-minute marcha test according to official regulations, a marcha test with warm-up or cool-down exercises, a marcha test with both warm-up and cool-down exercises, a marcha test with stretching, and a marcha test with stretching, warm-up, and cool-down exercises.

Data Collection and Analysis

• The horses’ health parameters such as heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, glucose, lactate, creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, and cortisol were evaluated before and after marcha tests.
• The compiled data were analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance to assess the exercise protocols and evaluation moments. The comparative study of means was performed using Tukey’s test where statistical significance was set at P≤0.05.

Results and Conclusion

• Based on the heart rate and blood lactate results, the study concludes that warm-up or stretching practices prior to the marcha tests have a beneficial effect on the performance of the Mangalarga Marchador horses. They perform better in simulated marcha tests that follow the official ABCCMM regulation and last 50 minutes.
• The scientific conclusion supports some empirically adopted practices and suggests that adequate warm-up or stretching exercises before physical activities can enhance the performance of sports horses in competitions.