FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Rec / Relationships between physiological variables and race perfo...
The Veterinary record2005; 156(11); 339-342; doi: 10.1136/vr.156.11.339

Relationships between physiological variables and race performance in French standardbred trotters.

Abstract: The relationships between V4 (the velocity for a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol/litre) and V200 (the velocity for a heart rate of 200 bpm) and the performance indices of 223 healthy French trotters were analysed. They were divided into four age groups of three, four, five and six years and over, and into three performance groups (good, intermediate and poor performers) defined by the index of trot (ITR), an annual index of performance calculated by the national stud. V4 and V200 were assessed during the performance of a three-step standardised field exercise test, and four performance indexes (ITR, earnings, best time and the number of starts) were calculated for each group. An analysis of variance showed that V4 and V200 were highly correlated with the horses' age and level of performance (P<0.05). The correlation between the physiological variables and ITR was better for the three- and four-year-old horses than for the older horses.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2005-03-26 PubMed ID: 15789646DOI: 10.1136/vr.156.11.339Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the relationships between certain physiological indicators and performance success in French standardbred trotter horses. The study found that two specific indicators, V4 and V200, are highly connected to the age and performance level of the horses.

Objective of the Research

  • The main objective of this research is to understand the correlations between two physiological variables named V4 (the velocity at which a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol/litre is reached) and V200 (the velocity at which a heart rate of 200 beats per minute is achieved) and the performance of French trotters.

Methodology

  • The researchers selected a cohort of 223 healthy French trotter horses, that were divided into four age groups; three, four, five, and over six years. This age classification allows the study to consider any potential influence of the horse’s age on their performance.
  • Further, these horses were categorized into three performance groups, defined as good, intermediate, and poor performers. This classification was based on the Index of Trot (ITR), an annual index of performance that is calculated by the national stud. The ITR was one of the four performance indices used in the study, along with earnings, best time, and the number of starts.
  • Both V4 and V200 were measured while these horses undertook a structured field exercise test comprising three steps.

Findings and Statistical Analysis

  • Through an analysis of variance, the researchers found that both V4 and V200 were highly correlated with the horses’ age and their level of performance. This signifies that these physiological variables could be potential indicators of a horse’s potential success in a race.
  • The research also uncovered that the correlation between ITR and the physiological variables was stronger for the three and four years old horses as compared to older horses. This could suggest that these variables might be more predictive of performance in younger horses.

Implications of the Study

  • This study provides significant insights into the potential role of physiological variables in predicting trotter performance.
  • Beyond that, it can aid in strategic training and preparation for races, given a better understanding of the physiological factors at play that correlate with a horse’s performance.

Cite This Article

APA
Leleu C, Cotrel C, Courouce-Malblanc A. (2005). Relationships between physiological variables and race performance in French standardbred trotters. Vet Rec, 156(11), 339-342. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.156.11.339

Publication

The Veterinary record
ISSN: 0042-4900
NlmUniqueID: 0031164
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 156
Issue: 11
Pages: 339-342

Researcher Affiliations

Leleu, C
  • Pégase Mayenne, Departement de Médecine du Sport, Centre Hospitalier, 53 015 Laval, France.
Cotrel, C
    Courouce-Malblanc, A

      MeSH Terms

      • Age Factors
      • Analysis of Variance
      • Animals
      • Exercise Test / veterinary
      • France
      • Heart Rate / physiology
      • Horses / blood
      • Horses / physiology
      • Lactic Acid / blood
      • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
      • Physical Endurance / physiology

      Citations

      This article has been cited 17 times.
      1. Saitua A, Pérez-Umbría J, García-Álamo K, Muñoz A. Dynamic Mobilization Exercises Improve Activity and Stride Parameters Measured with Accelerometry in Sedentary Horses. Animals (Basel) 2025 Oct 10;15(20).
        doi: 10.3390/ani15202943pubmed: 41153872google scholar: lookup
      2. Söderroos D, Stefánsdóttir GJ, Ragnarsson S, Gunnarsson V, Jansson A. Relationship between weight-carrying capacity and performance in a standardized treadmill exercise test in horses. Physiol Rep 2025 Oct;13(19):e70607.
        doi: 10.14814/phy2.70607pubmed: 41058142google scholar: lookup
      3. Gobbo E, Topal O, Novalija I, Mladenić D, Zupan Šemrov M. An iterative approach to identify key predictive features of fear reactivity and fearfulness in horses (Equus caballus). Sci Rep 2025 Jul 9;15(1):24590.
        doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-10725-4pubmed: 40628935google scholar: lookup
      4. Zupan Šemrov M, Přibylová L, Gobbo E. Task-specific morphological and kinematic differences in Lipizzan horses. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1569067.
        doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1569067pubmed: 40599329google scholar: lookup
      5. Argüelles D, Saitua A, Miraz R, Calle-González N, Requena F, Nocera I, Vitale V, Sgorbini M, Muñoz A. The application of a single session of capacitive resistive electric transfer 24 h before exercise modifies the accelerometric pattern in standardbred racing trotters. BMC Vet Res 2024 May 22;20(1):217.
        doi: 10.1186/s12917-024-04039-2pubmed: 38773549google scholar: lookup
      6. Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Stancari G, Conturba B, Bozzola C, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. Evaluation of fitness parameters in relation to racing results in 245 Standardbred trotter horses submitted for poor performance examination: A retrospective study. PLoS One 2023;18(10):e0293202.
        doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293202pubmed: 37856522google scholar: lookup
      7. Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Conturba B, Stancari G, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. Medical causes of poor performance and their associations with fitness in Standardbred racehorses. J Vet Intern Med 2023 Jul-Aug;37(4):1514-1527.
        doi: 10.1111/jvim.16734pubmed: 37148147google scholar: lookup
      8. López-Sanromán FJ, Montes Freilich G, Gómez-Cisneros D, Izquierdo-Moreno J, Varela Del Arco M, Manso-Díaz G. Morphine with or without Acepromazine in Horses: A Kinematic Evaluation. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 6;12(9).
        doi: 10.3390/ani12091193pubmed: 35565620google scholar: lookup
      9. 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. Profiling the Aerobic Window of Horses in Response to Training by Means of a Modified Lactate Minimum Speed Test: Flatten the Curve. Front Physiol 2022;13:792052.
        doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.792052pubmed: 35392373google scholar: lookup
      10. Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Stancari G, Alberti E, Conturba B, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. Associations between Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) and Fitness Parameters Measured by Incremental Treadmill Test in Standardbred Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 12;12(4).
        doi: 10.3390/ani12040449pubmed: 35203157google scholar: lookup
      11. Jansson A, Gunnarsson VÞ, Ringmark S, Ragnarsson S, Söderroos D, Ásgeirsson E, Jóhannsdóttir TR, Liedberg C, Stefánsdóttir GJ. Increased body fat content in horses alters metabolic and physiological exercise response, decreases performance, and increases locomotion asymmetry. Physiol Rep 2021 Jun;9(11):e14824.
        doi: 10.14814/phy2.14824pubmed: 34110691google scholar: lookup
      12. 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).
        doi: 10.3390/ani10081278pubmed: 32727062google scholar: lookup
      13. Starling M, Spurrett A, McGreevy P. A Pilot Study of Methods for Evaluating the Effects of Arousal and Emotional Valence on Performance of Racing Greyhounds. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jun 15;10(6).
        doi: 10.3390/ani10061037pubmed: 32549411google scholar: lookup
      14. de Bruijn CM, Houterman W, Ploeg M, Ducro B, Boshuizen B, Goethals K, Verdegaal EL, Delesalle C. Monitoring training response in young Friesian dressage horses using two different standardised exercise tests (SETs). BMC Vet Res 2017 Feb 14;13(1):49.
        doi: 10.1186/s12917-017-0969-8pubmed: 28196500google scholar: lookup
      15. Back H, Penell J, Pringle J, Isaksson M, Ronéus N, Treiberg Berndtsson L, Ståhl K. A longitudinal study of poor performance and subclinical respiratory viral activity in Standardbred trotters. Vet Rec Open 2015;2(1):e000107.
        doi: 10.1136/vetreco-2014-000107pubmed: 26392904google scholar: lookup
      16. Ringmark S, Lindholm A, Hedenström U, Lindinger M, Dahlborn K, Kvart C, Jansson A. Reduced high intensity training distance had no effect on VLa4 but attenuated heart rate response in 2-3-year-old Standardbred horses. Acta Vet Scand 2015 Mar 20;57(1):17.
        doi: 10.1186/s13028-015-0107-1pubmed: 25884463google scholar: lookup
      17. 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.
        pubmed: 22942450
      Subscribe to our newsletter
      Join 99,359 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.