Standardized exercise test and daily heart rate responses of thoroughbreds undergoing conventional race training and detraining.
Abstract: Ten healthy sedentary male Thoroughbreds with previous race training experience were studied for 14 weeks. Horses were trained for 9 weeks, using a program designed after those used commonly in the United States. Horses were trained conventionally by slow trotting (250 m/min) for 2 weeks and galloping (390 to 450 m/min) for 4 weeks, followed by 3 weeks of galloping (440 to 480 m/min) and intermittent sprinting exercises (breezes) at distances between 600 and 1,000 m (900 to 950 m/min). The horses were then pasture rested for 5 weeks. A standardized exercise test (SET) involving an 800-m gallop at 800 m/min was administered before and after the 9-week training period and after the 5-week detraining period. Heart rate (HR) was monitored during exercise and at standardized intervals after exercise for 60 minutes. Venous blood for determination of plasma lactate concentration was obtained at 5 minutes after exercise. Heart rate was monitored daily at rest, during exercise, and through the first 60 minutes of recovery. Venous plasma samples (for lactate determination) were obtained 5 minutes after the sprinting exercises. Horses were observed daily before exercise for signs of lameness and were not allowed to train if lame. Differences after 9 weeks' training were seen in the SET recovery HR at 0.5 through 5 minutes after exercise (P less than 0.05 to P less than 0.01). Differences after detraining were seen in the SET recovery HR at 40 and 60 minutes after exercise (P less than 0.05 to P less than 0.01). Neither training nor detraining resulted in differences in plasma lactate concentration after the SET gallop.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1990-06-01 PubMed ID: 2368948
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research investigated the effects of conventional race training and detraining on heart rate and lactate concentration levels in thoroughbred horses. The study found that both training and detraining caused changes in heart rate recovery times after exercise, but not in the levels of lactate concentration.
Study Design and Subjects
- The study involved ten healthy male thoroughbred horses, all of whom had prior experience with race training.
- The research was conducted over a period of 14 weeks.
Training and Detraining Program
- The research horses were put through a 9-week training program. This was designed to mimic the training regimes commonly used in the United States.
- Training consisted of slow trotting (for 2 weeks), galloping (for 4 weeks), then more galloping with adding intermittent sprinting exercises (for the remaining 3 weeks).
- Upon completion of the training regimen, the horses underwent a 5-week detraining period where they were rested in pastures.
Test Administration and Metrics
- Before and after the training, as well as after the detraining, a Standardized Exercise Test (SET) was administered. This test involved an 800-meter gallop at a pace of 800m/minute.
- Heart rate was continuously monitored during and after exercise for up to 60 minutes, also at rest and daily for signs of recovery.
- Five minutes post sprinting exercises, venous plasma samples were taken to determine lactate concentration levels.
Results and Conclusions
- Significant differences in heart rate recovery were observed immediately and up to 5 minutes post-exercise after the 9 weeks of training.
- Notable changes in heart rate recovery were also seen at 40 and 60 minutes post-exercise after the 5-week detraining period.
- Interestingly, neither the training nor detraining phases resulted in changes in plasma lactate concentration after the SET gallop.
This research suggests that conventional race training and detraining induce significant alterations in heart rate responses in thoroughbred horses. However, these changes do not appear to influence the levels of lactate present in the bloodstream post-exercise.
Cite This Article
APA
Foreman JH, Bayly WM, Grant BD, Gollnick PD.
(1990).
Standardized exercise test and daily heart rate responses of thoroughbreds undergoing conventional race training and detraining.
Am J Vet Res, 51(6), 914-920.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman 99164.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Heart Rate / physiology
- Horses / blood
- Horses / physiology
- Lactates / blood
- Lactic Acid
- Lameness, Animal / blood
- Lameness, Animal / physiopathology
- Male
- Phenylbutazone / pharmacology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / standards
- Running
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Nissen SD, Weis R, Krag-Andersen EK, Hesselkilde EM, Isaksen JL, Carstensen H, Kanters JK, Linz D, Sanders P, Hopster-Iversen C, Jespersen T, Pehrson S, Buhl R. Electrocardiographic characteristics of trained and untrained standardbred racehorses. J Vet Intern Med 2022 May;36(3):1119-1130.
- Cappelli K, Amadori M, Mecocci S, Miglio A, Antognoni MT, Razzuoli E. Immune Response in Young Thoroughbred Racehorses under Training. Animals (Basel) 2020 Oct 5;10(10).
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