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Journal of equine science2016; 27(4); 131-142; doi: 10.1294/jes.27.131

Studies on exercise physiology and performance testing of racehorses performed in Japan during the 1930s using recovery rate as an index.

Abstract: The history of research on the exercise physiology of racehorses in Japan dates back to the 1930s. A research report entitled "Studies on exercise physiology and performance testing of the racehorse", published in 1933 by Shigeo Matsuba and Torao Shimamura of The University of Tokyo, was epoch-making and the most important study in the history of equine exercise physiology in Japan. Research results were reported from 92 Thoroughbred racehorses in a large-scale project during the period of 1928 to 1932 at the Shimofusa Imperial Farm and the Koiwai Farm, which were the two greatest racehorse farms at that time. A total of 20 physiological variables were measured to evaluate the fitness of Thoroughbred racehorses before exercise (Pre), just after exercise (Post), 1 hr after exercise (1 hr), 2 hr after exercise (2 hr), and 3 hr after exercise (3 hr) in order to calculate their recovery rates as an index of fitness and performance. The percentage of the Pre value at 1 hr, 2 hr, and 3 hr was calculated. When the percentage of a variable reached 95-105% of the Pre value, the variable was considered to be recovered. The percentage of the total number of variables that were recovered for each time period was calculated, and an overall average was calculated from them; Matsuba and Shimamura proposed calling this overall average the "recovery rate", which could then be applied to evaluate each horse. The effects of training on racehorses were subsequently evaluated by measuring the various physiological variables and the recovery rate.
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Publication Date: 2016-12-15 PubMed ID: 27974872PubMed Central: PMC5155131DOI: 10.1294/jes.27.131Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The article reports on the early research done in Japan in the 1930s, focusing on the exercise physiology and performance testing of racehorses. The study measured 20 physiological variables to assess the fitness and performance of the horses, using the recovery rate as an assessment tool.

Historical Context

  • The research study in focus was published in 1933 by Shigeo Matsuba and Torao Shimamura from The University of Tokyo.
  • The study holds historical significance as it was pioneering in the field of equine exercise physiology in Japan.
  • The research was based on results gathered from 92 Thoroughbred racehorses between 1928 and 1932 at Shimofusa Imperial Farm and the Koiwai Farm, the two leading racehorse farms then.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers measured 20 physiological variables to gauge the fitness of the racehorses.
  • The variables were observed at five different intervals: before exercise, immediately after exercise, and after 1, 2, and 3 hours of exercise.
  • The measurement was used to calculate the recovery rates as an indicator of the racehorses’ fitness and performance.

Recovery Rate Calculation

  • The percentage of the Pre value (before exercising) was calculated at the 1, 2, and 3 hour post-exercise intervals.
  • If a variable reached 95-105% of the Pre value, it was considered to be recovered.
  • The researchers then calculated the percentage of the total number of variables recovered for each time period.
  • The average of these percentages was termed the “recovery rate”.

Implications of the Study

  • Matsuba and Shimamura proposed using the recovery rate as a tool to evaluate each horse’s fitness and performance.
  • The study’s results were also later used to assess the impact of training on racehorses, by observing the changes in physiological variables and the recovery rate.

Cite This Article

APA
Hiraga A, Sugano S. (2016). Studies on exercise physiology and performance testing of racehorses performed in Japan during the 1930s using recovery rate as an index. J Equine Sci, 27(4), 131-142. https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.27.131

Publication

Journal of equine science
ISSN: 1340-3516
NlmUniqueID: 9503751
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 27
Issue: 4
Pages: 131-142

Researcher Affiliations

Hiraga, Atsushi
  • Hidaka Training and Research Center of Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan.
Sugano, Shigeru
  • Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 180-0004, Japan.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Hiraga A, Sugano S. Studies on the exercise physiology of draft horses performed in Japan during the 1950s and 1960s. J Equine Sci 2017;28(1):1-12.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.28.1pubmed: 28400701google scholar: lookup
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