Abstract: There is a great need for objective external training load prescription and performance capacity evaluation in equestrian disciplines. Therefore, reliable standardised exercise tests (SETs) are needed. Classic SETs require maximum intensities with associated risks to deduce training loads from pre-described cut-off values. The lactate minimum speed (LMS) test could be a valuable alternative. Our aim was to compare new performance parameters of a modified LMS-test with those of an incremental SET, to assess the effect of training on LMS-test parameters and curve-shape, and to identify the optimal mathematical approach for LMS-curve parameters. Six untrained standardbred mares (3-4 years) performed a SET and LMS-test at the start and end of the 8-week harness training. The SET-protocol contains 5 increments (4 km/h; 3 min/step). The LMS-test started with a 3-min trot at 36-40 km/h [until blood lactate (BL) > 5 mmol/L] followed by 8 incremental steps (2 km/h; 3 min/step). The maximum lactate steady state estimation (MLSS) entailed >10 km run at the LMS and 110% LMS. The GPS, heartrate (Polar), and blood lactate (BL) were monitored and plotted. Curve-parameters (R core team, 3.6.0) were (SET) VLa. and (LMS-test) area under the curve (AUC), LMS and Aerobic Window (AW) angular vs. threshold method. Statistics for comparison: a paired -test was applied, except for LMS: paired Wilcoxon test; ( 0.80), Bland-Altman method, and ordinary least products (OLP) regression analyses were determined for test-correlation and concordance. Training induced a significant increase in VLa.. The width of the AW increased significantly while the AUC and LMS decreased post-training (flattening U-curve). The LMS BL steady-state is reached earlier and maintained longer after training. BL was significantly lower for LMS vs. SET. The 40° angular method is the optimal approach. The correlation between LMS and V was significantly better compared to the SET. The VLa is unreliable for equine aerobic capacity assessment. The LMS-test allows more reliable individual performance capacity assessment at lower speed and BL compared to SETs. The LMS-test protocol can be further adapted, especially post-training; however, inducing modest hyperlactatemia prior to the incremental LMS-stages and omitting inclusion of a per-test recovery contributes to its robustness. This LMS-test is a promising tool for the development of tailored training programmes based on the AW, respecting animal welfare.
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This research proposes a new method to determine training loads for horses through a modified Lactate Minimum Speed (LMS) test. The method is designed to be safer and more reliable compared to the classic Standardised Exercise Tests (SETs). The research establishes that the LMS test could establish a horse’s aerobic capacity better, be a more reliable performance assessment, and if adopted, could lead to the development of personalised training programs that respect animal welfare.
Introduction
The study aims to establish more reliable and safer ways of determining training loads for horses.
Existing standardised exercise tests (SETs) are risky as they involve maximum intensities.
The research investigates the feasibility of a modified Lactate Minimum Speed (LMS) test as a safer alternative to classic SETs.
The idea is to examine the potential of the LMS test in evaluating performance capacity and prescribing objective external training load.
Methodology
Six untrained standardbred mares aged between 3-4 years underwent a SET and an LMS test at the beginning and end of an 8-week harness training.
The SET protocol involved 5 increments (4 km/h; 3 minutes per step) while the LMS test started with a 3-minute trot at speeds between 36-40 km/h, followed by 8 incremental steps (2 km/h; 3 minutes per step).
The maximum lactate steady state (MLSS), heart rate, and blood lactate (BL) were monitored and plotted for both tests.
Findings
Training led to a significant increase in VLa, an indicator of the anaerobic threshold.
The width of the Aerobic Window (AW), the speed range within which the horse can work aerobically, increased significantly after training, while both the area under the curve (AUC) and LMS decreased, indicating a flattening U-curve.
It was found that in an LMS test, the blood lactate steady state is reached earlier and maintained longer after training, and blood lactate levels were significantly lower for LMS compared to SET tests.
The 40° angular method was identified as the optimal mathematical approach for the LMS curve parameters.
Conclusion
Correlation between LMS and horse velocity was significantly better compared to the SETs, proving LMS to be a more reliable aerobic capacity assessment.
The findings suggest that the LMS test can provide a more reliable individual performance capacity assessment at lower speed and BL compared to SETs.
The research concludes that the LMS test protocol can be further optimised, especially post-training.
It shows that the LMS test is a promising tool for developing tailored training programmes based on the AW, while ensuring animal welfare.
Cite This Article
APA
De Maré L, Boshuizen B, Vidal Moreno de Vega C, de Meeûs C, Plancke L, Gansemans Y, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Deforce D, de Oliveira JE, Hosotani G, Oosterlinck M, Delesalle C.
(2022).
Profiling the Aerobic Window of Horses in Response to Training by Means of a Modified Lactate Minimum Speed Test: Flatten the Curve.
Front Physiol, 13, 792052.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.792052
Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Research Group of Comparative Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Boshuizen, Berit
Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Research Group of Comparative Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Research Group of Comparative Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
de Meeûs, Constance
Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Research Group of Comparative Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Plancke, Lukas
Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Research Group of Comparative Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Gansemans, Yannick
Department of Pharmaceutics, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Van Nieuwerburgh, Filip
Department of Pharmaceutics, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Deforce, Dieter
Department of Pharmaceutics, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
de Oliveira, Jean Eduardo
Cargill, Research and Development Centre Europe, Vilvoorde, Belgium.
Hosotani, Guilherme
Cargill, Research and Development Centre Europe, Vilvoorde, Belgium.
Oosterlinck, Maarten
Department of Large Animal Surgery, Anaesthesia and Orthopaedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Delesalle, Catherine
Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Research Group of Comparative Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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