Methodology and repeatability of a standardised treadmill exercise test for clinical evaluation of fitness in horses.

The research presents a standardised treadmill exercise test for horses and the expected variations in an individual horse’s exercise test measurements. The researchers concluded that the results obtained from a single exercise test could reliably evaluate a horse’s metabolic abilities.

Methodology

This research aims to develop a standardised exercise test for horses, which can be used in clinical settings:

• Horses were subjected to an incremental inclined treadmill exercise test to gather data about their fitness. The specific measurements examined include peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), peak carbon dioxide production (VCO2peak), peak respiratory exchange ratio (Rpeak), peak heart rate (HRpeak), peak packed cell volume (PCVpeak), and peak total plasma protein (TPPpeak).
• Technology such as an open flow respiratory gas analysis system, a fast time response lactate analyser, and an on-board heart rate monitor were used during the exercise test to thoroughly measure the horses’ responses.
• The exercise test was repeated twice for six horses, allowing the researchers to assess the repeatability of the test and variability in an individual horse’s measurements.

Results

This section reports on the findings of the clinical hypometric exercise test:

• The results showed a mean variability of less than 5 per cent for most of the measures, establishing the test as reliable. These measurements include VO2peak, VCO2peak, Rpeak, HRpeak, PCVpeak, TPPpeak, and the maximum number of steps completed during the exercise test (STEPmax).
• The variability of the regression analysis of VO2, VCO2, and HR versus velocity was also less than 5 per cent. This suggests that these variables remain consistent during an exercise test.
• The only measurement with notable variability was peak venous lactate concentration (LACpeak), which saw greater variation.
• The regression analysis of PCV and TPP versus velocity exhibited higher variability at more than 16 per cent.
• All of the post exercise test measurements had less than 10 per cent mean variation at 1, 5 and 15 minutes post exercise.
• Based on these findings, the researchers conclude that a single exercise test can reliably assess a horse’s metabolic capabilities.