Quantification of the energy expenditure during training exercises in Standardbred trotters.

This study aimed to determine the energy expenditure during different training exercises (promenade, jogging, parcours and interval work-outs) in Standardbred trotters. The highest energy expenditure was observed in interval and parcours situations, contributing to a varied percentage of total energy expenditure in different testing situations.

Objective and Methodology

• The main purpose of this research was to quantify the energy expended during four specific training exercises used for training Standardbred trotters. This quantification is important to ensure optimal energy management and performance in these horses.
• A total of six Standardbred geldings were used in the study, and they underwent four different testing situations on a track.
• The intensity and volume of these testing situations were determined according to the practices reported by French trainers.
• The physiological parameters including oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide production and heart rate were consistently recorded from 2 minutes before the start of the exercises until the end.
• Blood lactate levels and rectal temperatures were recorded before and after the exercises.

Key Findings

• Higher physiological responses, especially in terms of maximum oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide production, and heart rate, were noticed during interval and parcours situations in comparison to jogging and promenade situations.
• The highest blood lactate concentration was observed after the interval exercise, and respiratory exchange ratios equivalent to or more than 1 were noted only during the parcours situation.
• The energy expenditure during the exercise phase ranged from 0.49 to 1.79 kJ/min per kg for promenade and parcours situations respectively.
• The energy expenditure during warm-up and recovery phases did not differ significantly between parcours and interval situations, with an average expenditure of 1.04 and 0.57 kJ/min per kg body weight respectively.
• On average, the warm-up and recovery phases contributed 38% and 19% to the total energy expenditure respectively.
• The total energy expended during promenade, jogging, parcours and interval situations were estimated to be 12,618, 11,119, 13,698 and 18,119 kJ respectively.