Stress level effects on sport performance during trotting races in Spanish Trotter Horses.

The study investigates the impact of stress on the performance of Spanish Trotter Horses in races. It establishes that stress levels before the race influence the horse’s competition outcomes.

About the Study

• The focus of the study was to understand an evident relation between stress levels and sports performance in Spanish Trotter Horses during trotting races.
• The aim was to determine the tipping point of stress that enhances the performance result and, conversely, when the stress faced by the horse crosses a limit and becomes a distress.

Methodology

• 130 individuals were assessed to measure their performance and stress in various competitions.
• Performance was measured based on ‘racing time per kilometre (TPK)’.
• Non-invasive bio-indicators were used to measure stress: infrared thermography was used to measure the eye temperature, and heart-rate monitors to assess cardiovascular stress responses. These measurements were taken two hours prior to the race and immediately after the race.
• Subsequently, an increase in eye temperature (∆ET) and heart rate after each race were estimated.

Findings

• Significant differences were observed in the pre-race eye temperature and ∆ET relative to the horse’s post-race performance level using a GLM (Generalized Linear Model) analysis.
• Segmented regression analysis indicated that when a horse was more stressed before the race than immediately after (∆ET<0), it showed subpar competition results.
• The point at which performance started to improve (∆ET=-0.97%), was identified as a ‘breakpoint’.
• The comparison of pre-race eye temperature, ∆ET and TPK (recorded through a response surface plot), showed that optimum TPK (77.27s) was achieved when the pre-race eye temperature and ∆ET were 37.61°C and 7.57% respectively.

Conclusion

• The research established that the horse’s pre-race stress levels had a significant effect on their competition results.
• It was found that there exists a threshold of stress that, when reached, can positively influence the horse’s performance in a race.