The correlation of running ability and physiological variables in thoroughbred racehorses.
Abstract: The running abilities of 25 Thoroughbred racehorses were measured at distances of 1200, 1600 and 20000 m. Various physiological variables were measured subsequently on the treadmill and correlated with running speed. There was a negative correlation for running speed with the velocity (VLa4) and work rate (WLa4) at which blood lactate reaches a steady-state concentration of 4 mmol/litre and a positive correlation with peak plasma lactate, suggesting that plasma lactate concentrations of faster horses rise more rapidly and to higher levels than do those of slower horses. The correlation between running speeds and heart rates (HR) was stronger for unfit than fit horses, suggesting that cardiovascular effects of training are more beneficial to slower horses. The significant correlation between running speeds and V200 suggests that the HR of faster horses increases more rapidly than in slower horses performing similar exercise. The correlation of running speeds and VO2max suggests that the HR of faster horses increases more rapidly than in slower horses performing similar exercise. The correlation of running speeds and VO2max suggests that faster horses utilise more oxygen during maximal intensity exercise. The correlation of running speeds with minimum pH and minimum HCO3- suggests that faster horses maintain speed at higher hydrogen ion (H+) concentrations. Correlations between running speeds and the measured variables were consistently stronger for the longer distance runs. Because VLa4 and WLa4 were obtained during sub-maximal exercise, these variables were determined to be the best correlates of running performance.
Publication Date: 1993-01-01 PubMed ID: 8422886DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1993.tb02902.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research examines the relationship between several physiological variables and the running speed of Thoroughbred racehorses, finding that there are significant correlations between running performance and oxygen utilization, blood lactate levels, and heart rates, especially during longer distance runs.
Understanding Running Ability of Thoroughbred Racehorses
In this study, the running speeds of 25 Thoroughbred racehorses were measured at 1200, 1600, and 20000m distances to understand their running abilities. The researchers then measured several physiological variables while the horses were on a treadmill and attempted to find correlations between these variables and running speed.
- Among the variables assessed were blood lactate levels at a steady-state concentration of 4 mmol/litre, peak plasma lactate levels, heart rates (HR), and maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max).
- The velocity (VLa4) and work rate (WLa4) at which each horse achieved a steady-state concentration of 4 mmol/litre of blood lactate was found to correlate negatively with running speed. This suggests that horses with higher speeds have faster and greater increases in plasma lactate levels.
- A contrastingly positive correlation was noted with peak plasma lactate levels, again signifying that blood lactate concentrations of faster horses rise more rapidly and reach higher levels compared to those of slower horses.
- The comparison between running speeds and heart rates showed a stronger correlation in unfit horses than in fit ones. This indicates that cardiovascular training might have a more significant impact on enhancing the running speed of slower horses.
Investigating the Impact of Cardiovascular Activity and Blood Lactate Levels
- A noteworthy correlation was observed between running speeds and V200 – an index used to evaluate the horse’s fitness. It implies that the heart rates of quicker horses increase faster than those of slower ones under similar exercise circumstances.
- Researchers also found a connection between running speeds and maximum oxygen usage during exercise, indicating that faster horses use more oxygen during high-intensity exercise.
- Additionally, researchers discovered a correlation between running speeds, minimum pH, and minimum bicarbonate (HCO3-) levels, indicating that quicker horses maintain their speed even when their blood has higher hydrogen ion concentrations.
- The correlations between running speeds and the tested variables were consistently stronger for longer-distance runs, possibly due to the increased demands of endurance performance.
- The study concluded that VLa4 and WLa4—indicative of a horse’s lactate threshold—are the best correlates of running performance in racehorses as their measurements were obtained during sub-maximal exercise.
Cite This Article
APA
Harkins JD, Beadle RE, Kamerling SG.
(1993).
The correlation of running ability and physiological variables in thoroughbred racehorses.
Equine Vet J, 25(1), 53-60.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1993.tb02902.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, Pharmacology, & Toxicology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Blood Gas Analysis / veterinary
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Female
- Heart Rate
- Horses / blood
- Horses / physiology
- Lactates / blood
- Locomotion
- Male
- Oxygen Consumption
- Physical Exertion
- Regression Analysis
- Reproducibility of Results
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Conturba B, Stancari G, Ferrucci F. Impact of Lower Airway Inflammation on Fitness Parameters in Standardbred Racehorses.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 21;12(22).
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