Physiological variables measured under field conditions according to age and state of training in French Trotters.
Abstract: We hypothesised that the derived physiological variables V2 and V4 (velocity to achieve a blood lactate concentration of 2 and 4 mmol/l, respectively), HR2 and HR4 (the corresponding heart rate) and V200 (the velocity for a heart rate of 200 beats/min) would improve with training state and age, in French Trotters. A total of 194 French Trotters from one training establishment were followed for 6 years and 1105 standardised field exercise tests performed on a sand training track. The horses were divided into 6 age groups (from 1 to > or = 6 years) and 4 training groups (beginning, endurance training, sprint training, racing). A 2-way analysis of variance was performed to evaluate the effects of age, training and the interaction of age and training on these physiological variables with the level of statistical significance set at 5%. The results showed that there was a significant influence of age on HR4, V2, V4 and V200, with these variables increasing with age. Also, there was a significant influence of training and both age and training on V2, V4 and V200, with these variables increasing with training and age. These results, obtained in a longitudinal study in a reproducible field environment, are consistent with previous laboratory-based experimental studies. We conclude that objective indices of fitness obtained on the training track can be useful in the commercial training environment.
Publication Date: 2002-01-31 PubMed ID: 11817559DOI: 10.2746/042516402776181141Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research study analyses the impact of age and training intensity on specific physiological variables, like HR4, V2, V4, and V200, in French Trotters, a breed of trotting horses. The study found that these physiological variables improve both with age and the level of training, suggesting their utility as objective fitness indices in a commercial training setup.
Introduction and Hypotheses
- The researchers hypothesized that certain physiological variables (V2, V4, HR2, HR4, and V200) would improve with age and training intensity in a breed of racing horses named French Trotters.
- These physiological variables differentiated in the study relate to the velocity at which a horse reaches a blood lactate concentration of 2 and 4 mmol/l (V2 and V4, respectively), the corresponding heart rate (HR2 and HR4), and the velocity achieved for a heart rate of 200 bpm (V200).
Methodology
- Overall, the six-year-long study involved 194 French Trotters from a single training establishment, resulting in 1105 standardized field exercise tests on a sand training track.
- The horses were divided into six age groups starting from one year to more than six years, and four levels of training (beginning, endurance training, sprint training, racing).
- A 2-way analysis of variance was implemented to assess the influences of age, training, and their interaction on the target physiological variables under study.
Results and Findings
- The study discovered a significant influence of age on V2, V4, HR4, and V200, with values increasing as the horses got older.
- The level of training also significantly influenced V2, V4, and V200, substantiating that these physiological variables increase with training.
- An essential observation was that both training and age influence V2, V4, and V200.
Conclusions
- The research concludes that the measured physiological variables could serve as useful, objective fitness indices in a commercial training environment.
- The findings, collected in a standard and reproducible field environment, align with previous laboratory-based experimental studies.
Cite This Article
APA
Couroucé A, Chrétien M, Valette JP.
(2002).
Physiological variables measured under field conditions according to age and state of training in French Trotters.
Equine Vet J, 34(1), 91-97.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516402776181141 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Pégase-Mayenne, Département de Médecine du Sport, CH de Laval, France.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Female
- Heart Rate
- Horses / physiology
- Lactic Acid / blood
- Longitudinal Studies
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- Schrurs C, Blott S, Dubois G, Van Erck-Westergren E, Gardner DS. Locomotory Profiles in Thoroughbreds: Peak Stride Length and Frequency in Training and Association with Race Outcomes. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 24;12(23).
- Kirsch K, Fercher C, Horstmann S, von Reitzenstein C, Augustin J, Lagershausen H. Monitoring Performance in Show Jumping Horses: Validity of Non-specific and Discipline-specific Field Exercise Tests for a Practicable Assessment of Aerobic Performance. Front Physiol 2021;12:818381.
- Verdegaal EJMM, Howarth GS, McWhorter TJ, Boshuizen B, Franklin SH, Vidal Moreno de Vega C, Jonas SE, Folwell LE, Delesalle CJG. Continuous Monitoring of the Thermoregulatory Response in Endurance Horses and Trotter Horses During Field Exercise: Baselining for Future Hot Weather Studies. Front Physiol 2021;12:708737.
- Cabrera AMZ, Soto MJC, Aranzales JRM, Valencia NMC, Gutiérrez MPA. Blood lactate concentrations and heart rates of Colombian Paso horses during a field exercise test. Vet Anim Sci 2021 Sep;13:100185.
- Stucchi L, Alberti E, Stancari G, Conturba B, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. The Relationship between Lung Inflammation and Aerobic Threshold in Standardbred Racehorses with Mild-Moderate Equine Asthma. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jul 27;10(8).
- 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.
- 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.
- Luck MM, Le Moyec L, Barrey E, Triba MN, Bouchemal N, Savarin P, Robert C. Energetics of endurance exercise in young horses determined by nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics. Front Physiol 2015;6:198.
- Fraipont A, Van Erck E, Ramery E, Fortier G, Lekeux P, Art T. Assessing fitness in endurance horses. Can Vet J 2012 Mar;53(3):311-4.
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