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The association of various speed indices to training responses in Thoroughbred flat racehorses measured with a global positioning and heart rate monitoring system.
Abstract: Fitness assessment can be challenging. The use of global positioning systems (GPS) with heart rate (HR) monitors has been promising; however, evaluation of speed parameters during training has not been reported. Objective: To evaluate speed indices during training in Thoroughbreds using a GPS-HR monitor. Methods: Thoroughbreds (n = 102) were assessed during training with data collected each work day (WD; sprinting). Speed indices evaluated included maximal velocity (V(max)), duration at V(max) (V(maxt)), acceleration rate (m/s(2)) from 800 m to V(max) (Acc800-V(max)), the distance (m) 6 (V(maxD6)) and 12 (V(maxD12)) s before (acceleration [a]) and after (deceleration [d]) V(max) and the deceleration rate from V(max) to the finish (V(maxDFd)). Blood for plasma lactate ([LA]) and creatine kinase ([CK]) measurements were taken before (T(0)), 5 mins (T(1)) and 6 h after exercise (T(2)). WD accumulation, jockey, gallop condition, horse gender, age, total distance covered (DistT), maximum HR (HR(max)), velocity at 200 beats/min (V(200)) and velocity at maximum HR (VHR(max)) for each WD were evaluated for associations with [LA], [CK], speed indices and racing performance. Data were analysed by repeated measures ANOVA with P < 0.05 significant. Results: No speed parameter clearly changed with training. Gallop condition affected V(max), V(maxt) and all distances covered with V(max) and distances increasing and V(maxt) decreasing as gallop surface became firmer. Jockey influenced V(max), V(maxD6a) and all decelerations, while DistT was inversely associated with Acc800-V(max), HR(max) and V(200) and positively associated with V(max), all accelerations and decelerations. [LA] at T(1) was positively associated with DistT and V(maxDFd). Conclusions: Speed parameters did not change with training but were affected by jockey, gallop condition and exercise distance. This information may help to modify training to maximise fitness, minimise injury and choose distances best suited for individuals.
© 2010 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2011-05-27 PubMed ID: 21058982DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00272.xGoogle 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.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research study explores the relationship between various speed indices and training responses in Thoroughbred racehorses, utilizing a global positioning and heart rate monitoring system. This new method assists in observing how factors like jockey, workout conditions, and exercise distance affect the horses’ speed during training.
Objective and Methodology
- The overarching aim of the study was to assess the speed indices of racehorses during training and evaluate how they change and interact with other parameters. The researchers used GPS and heart rate (HR) monitor technology to track and measure these changes in 102 Thoroughbreds.
- The speed indices evaluated included parameters like maximum velocity and duration at maximum velocity, rate of acceleration, the period of acceleration and deceleration, and the deceleration rate.
- Blood samples were collected from the horses before, immediately after, and six hours after exercise. These samples were analysed to measure levels of lactate and creatine kinase, biochemical indicators of physical exertion and muscle damage respectively.
- Information related to training specifics like horse gender, age, jockey, training surface conditions, total exercise distance, maximum heart rate, and velocity were factored into the evaluation for an exhaustive analysis.
Findings & Results
- The results indicated that no visible alterations were observed across the evaluated speed parameters with training.
- However, factors like the gallop conditions significantly affected the overall speed indices. For instance, firmer galloping surfaces led to increased maximum velocity and coverage distances and decreased duration at maximum velocity.
- The role of the jockey was found to have influenced the maximum velocity and rates of acceleration and deceleration, indicating their contribution to the horse’s performance.
- Interestingly, exercise distance was inversely related to the rate of acceleration and maximum heart rate. Conversely, it was positively associated with maximum velocity and rates of acceleration and deceleration.
- Lactate levels in the horse’s blood taken immediately after training showed a positive correlation with exercise distance and deceleration rates.
Conclusion and Significance
- Although training did not seem to directly affect the speed parameters, numerous other variables like jockey, workout conditions, and exercise distance greatly influenced the horse’s performance.
- The study’s findings could help in devising personalized training plans to optimize fitness, minimize injuries, and select the most appropriate racing distances for individual horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Fonseca RG, Kenny DA, Hill EW, Katz LM.
(2011).
The association of various speed indices to training responses in Thoroughbred flat racehorses measured with a global positioning and heart rate monitoring system.
Equine Vet J Suppl(38), 51-57.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00272.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Sections of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Geographic Information Systems
- Heart Rate / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Monitoring, Physiologic / instrumentation
- Monitoring, Physiologic / methods
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Telemetry
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Morrice-West AV, Hitchens PL, Walmsley EA, Tasker K, Lim SL, Smith AD, Whitton RC. Relationship between Thoroughbred workloads in racing and the fatigue life of equine subchondral bone. Sci Rep 2022 Jul 7;12(1):11528.
- Darbandi H, Serra Bragança F, van der Zwaag BJ, Voskamp J, Gmel AI, Haraldsdóttir EH, Havinga P. Using Different Combinations of Body-Mounted IMU Sensors to Estimate Speed of Horses-A Machine Learning Approach. Sensors (Basel) 2021 Jan 26;21(3).
- Di Tocco J, Sabbadini R, Raiano L, Fani F, Ripani S, Schena E, Formica D, Massaroni C. Breath-Jockey: Development and Feasibility Assessment of a Wearable System for Respiratory Rate and Kinematic Parameter Estimation for Gallop Athletes. Sensors (Basel) 2020 Dec 29;21(1).
- Han H, McGivney BA, Farries G, Katz LM, MacHugh DE, Randhawa IAS, Hill EW. Selection in Australian Thoroughbred horses acts on a locus associated with early two-year old speed. PLoS One 2020;15(2):e0227212.
- McGivney BA, Griffin ME, Gough KF, McGivney CL, Browne JA, Hill EW, Katz LM. Evaluation of microRNA expression in plasma and skeletal muscle of thoroughbred racehorses in training. BMC Vet Res 2017 Nov 22;13(1):347.
- Lenoir A, Trachsel DS, Younes M, Barrey E, Robert C. Agreement between Electrocardiogram and Heart Rate Meter Is Low for the Measurement of Heart Rate Variability during Exercise in Young Endurance Horses. Front Vet Sci 2017;4:170.
- Massie S, Bayly W, Ohmura H, Takahashi Y, Mukai K, Léguillette R. Field-training in young two-year-old thoroughbreds: investigating cardiorespiratory adaptations and the presence of exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage. BMC Vet Res 2024 Apr 26;20(1):159.
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