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Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2007; (36); 146-152; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05531.x

Retrospective study of predictive variables for maximal heart rate (HRmax) in horses undergoing strenuous treadmill exercise.

Abstract: Heart rate is one of the most commonly measured variables in equine exercise physiology and relative exercise intensity commonly expressed as % of maximal heart rate. A number of influences affect maximal heart rate (HRmax), including age of the horse but other factors have not been described. Objective: To determine if fitness, health status, gender, breed, athletic use, body mass, in addition to age, are predictive of HRmax in the horse. Methods: Maximal heart rate data from 328 horses which underwent treadmill exercise tests at 5 different laboratories were obtained retrospectively. Univariable linear regression analyses were performed on individual variables. Multiple linear regression analysis using a backward elimination modelling procedure was then used to relate the observed HRmax values simultaneously with different predictive variables. Variables were retained in the final regression model if they or any of their categories were significantly predictive of HRmax at P<0.05 and if there was a significant collective contribution to the model from inclusion of each variable, also at P<0.05. Results: Age, fitness status, laboratory, gender and breed/use (combined category) were all statistically significantly predictive of HRmax. Together these variables accounted for 41% of the variance in HRmax. Age alone accounted for only approximately 13% of the variation between horses in HRmax. Neither body mass nor health status were significantly predictive. Conclusions: HRmax in the horse declines with age but is also influenced by other factors. As the factors investigated accounted for only 41% of the variation between horses, other unidentified variables with a strong influence on HRmax remain to be identified. Conclusions: Factors such as fitness, age, gender, breed and use need to be considered when interpreting estimates or measurements of HRmax.
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Publication Date: 2007-04-04 PubMed ID: 17402410DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05531.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research study comprehensively analyzes the factors that can predict the maximal heart rate (HRmax) in horses during rigorous treadmill exercises. The study found that age, fitness status, laboratory conditions, gender, and breed were all significant predictors of HRmax. However, factors such as body mass and health status did not significantly predict HRmax.

Details of the Research

The study used maximal heart rate data collected from 328 horses which underwent treadmill exercise tests at 5 different laboratories.

  • The aim was to identify if variables like fitness, health status, gender, breed, use, and body mass could predict the HRmax in horses.
  • Univariable linear regression analyses were performed on individual variables, which helped to quantify the association between each variable and the HRmax.
  • Multiple linear regression analysis was then used to examine the relationship of HRmax with different variables simultaneously.
  • The variables were only retained in the final model if they significantly predicted HRmax.

Significant Findings

The study discovered several significant predictors for HRmax in horses.

  • Age, fitness status, laboratory conditions, gender and breed/use had statistically significant impact on HRmax.
  • In particular, age was found to be associated with decline in the HRmax. However, it accounted for only approximately 13% of the variation in HRmax.
  • Combined, these variables explained 41% of the variation in HRmax among the horses.
  • Interestingly, body mass and health status did not significantly predict the HRmax.

Interpreting HRmax

Interpreting HRmax needs a consideration of multiple factors.

  • The study concluded that factors such as fitness, age, gender, breed, and use need to be considered when interpreting estimates or measurements of HRmax in horses.
  • However, as these factors only accounted for 41% of the variation between horses, it suggests that other unidentified variables with a strong influence on HRmax remain to be discovered.

Cite This Article

APA
Vincen TL, Newton JR, Deaton CM, Franklin SH, Biddick T, McKeever KH, McDonough P, Young LE, Hodgson DR, Marlin DJ. (2007). Retrospective study of predictive variables for maximal heart rate (HRmax) in horses undergoing strenuous treadmill exercise. Equine Vet J Suppl(36), 146-152. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2006.tb05531.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 36
Pages: 146-152

Researcher Affiliations

Vincen, T L
  • Hartpury College, Hartpury House, Gloucester, UK.
Newton, J R
    Deaton, C M
      Franklin, S H
        Biddick, T
          McKeever, K H
            McDonough, P
              Young, L E
                Hodgson, D R
                  Marlin, D J

                    MeSH Terms

                    • Age Factors
                    • Animals
                    • Body Weight / physiology
                    • Exercise Test / veterinary
                    • Female
                    • Health Status
                    • Heart Rate / physiology
                    • Horses / physiology
                    • Linear Models
                    • Male
                    • Pedigree
                    • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
                    • Physical Fitness / physiology
                    • Predictive Value of Tests
                    • Retrospective Studies
                    • Sex Factors

                    Citations

                    This article has been cited 4 times.
                    1. 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
                    2. Čebulj-Kadunc N, Frangež R, Kruljc P. Fluctuations of Physiological Variables during Conditioning of Lipizzan Fillies before Starting under Saddle. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 25;12(7).
                      doi: 10.3390/ani12070836pubmed: 35405826google scholar: lookup
                    3. O' Brien C, Pegg J. A Preliminary Investigation into Ridden Water Submersion Training as an Adjunct to Current Condition Training Protocols in Performance Horses. Animals (Basel) 2021 Sep 7;11(9).
                      doi: 10.3390/ani11092629pubmed: 34573594google scholar: lookup
                    4. Sanigavatee K, Poochipakorn C, Huangsaksri O, Vichitkraivin S, Pakdeelikhit S, Chotiyothin W, Wongkosoljit S, Wonghanchao T, Chanda M. A structured exercise regimen enhances autonomic function compared to unstructured physical activities in geriatric horses. Sci Rep 2025 Jan 20;15(1):2493.
                      doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-86679-4pubmed: 39833241google scholar: lookup
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