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Equine veterinary journal2013; 45(5); 552-557; doi: 10.1111/evj.12024

The relationship between body composition, training and race performance in a group of Thoroughbred flat racehorses.

Abstract: Few noninvasive measures associated with performance assessment are available for racehorse trainers. Evaluation of body composition of superior human sprinters has revealed a lower fat mass (FM), percentage (%) fat and greater fat-free mass (FFM), but to date there have been few studies evaluating this in racehorses. Objective: To determine the effects of age, gender and training on body composition and the relationship between body composition, physiological measurements and performance in Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: At 2, 5 and 8 months of training, rump fat thickness (RFT) was ultrasonographically measured in 1-, 2- and 3-year-old Thoroughbreds (n = 148), with FM, % fat and FFM calculated. Speed, heart rate, plasma lactate and serum creatine kinase concentrations were recorded during each fast work session. Training duration (number of training days) and intensity (number of fast work sessions) were collated for each training period. Retrospective racing performance was used to categorise horses as elite or nonelite. Results: FFM was greater in males (P = 0.006) at all training stages. There were no interactions between training duration, intensity, gender and age (P>0.05); all effects were linear. Training duration had a negative effect on RFT (P = 0.0002), FM (P<0.0001) and % fat (P<0.0001) and a positive effect on FFM (P = 0.01). Training intensity had a negative effect on RFT (P = 0.009), FM (P<0.0001), % fat (P<0.0001) and FFM (P<0.0001). FFM was greater for elite vs. nonelite horses at all training stages (P = 0.003), for males (P = 0.05) and females (P = 0.04) and for 2- (P = 0.002) and 3-year-olds (P = 0.02). Conclusions: While age and training affect body composition, FFM is associated with performance. Conclusions: Body composition assessment may assist fitness and performance evaluation.
© 2012 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2013-01-07 PubMed ID: 23294231DOI: 10.1111/evj.12024Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the body composition of Thoroughbred flat racehorses and its impact on their performance. The research found that the body’s fat-free mass (FFM) is associated with the horse’s performance, and that training intensity and duration influence the horse’s body composition, regardless of the horse’s age or sex.

Research Methods

  • The researchers evaluated the body composition of 1-, 2-, and 3-year-old Thoroughbreds (n = 148) at 2, 5 and 8 months of training using ultrasonography to measure rump fat thickness (RFT). They also calculated the horses’ fat mass (FM), percentage of fat and fat-free mass (FFM).
  • During each fast work session, variables such as speed, heart rate, plasma lactate and serum creatine kinase concentrations were recorded.
  • Information regarding the training duration (time in training days) and training intensity (number of fast work sessions) was also collected over each training period.
  • To evaluate performance, horses were categorized as either elite or non-elite based on their retrospective racing performance.

Results

  • Male horses had greater FFM at all training stages (P = 0.006).
  • Training duration and intensity had a significant effect on body composition. Longer and more intense training was found to reduce RFT, FM, and % fat, while increasing FFM. No interactions were found between training duration, intensity, gender and age (P>0.05), with all effects being linear.
  • Elite horses were found to have greater FFM than non-elite horses at all training stages, and for both males (P = 0.05) and females (P = 0.04). Also, 2-year-olds (P = 0.002) and 3-year-olds (P = 0.02) had greater FFM.

Conclusions

  • Age and training do affect the body composition of racehorses to some extent, but it is primarily the FFM that is associated with their performance.
  • The assessment of a racehorse’s body composition may help to evaluate its fitness and performance.

Cite This Article

APA
Fonseca RG, Kenny DA, Hill EW, Katz LM. (2013). The relationship between body composition, training and race performance in a group of Thoroughbred flat racehorses. Equine Vet J, 45(5), 552-557. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12024

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 45
Issue: 5
Pages: 552-557

Researcher Affiliations

Fonseca, R G
  • Section of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Kenny, D A
    Hill, E W
      Katz, L M

        MeSH Terms

        • Adipose Tissue
        • Animals
        • Body Composition / physiology
        • Female
        • Horses / physiology
        • Male
        • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
        • Running
        • Sports

        Citations

        This article has been cited 7 times.
        1. 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.
          doi: 10.1186/s12917-024-03997-xpubmed: 38671428google scholar: lookup
        2. Ishimaru M, Okano A, Matsui A, Murase H, Korosue K, Akiyama K, Taya K. Effects of an extended photoperiod on body composition of young Thoroughbreds in training. J Vet Med Sci 2024 Jan 10;86(1):58-65.
          doi: 10.1292/jvms.23-0349pubmed: 37967974google scholar: lookup
        3. Ishimaru M, Matsui A, Seki K, Korosue K, Akiyama K, Mizukami H, Yoshida T, Taya K. Effects of different winter climates in Japan on body composition of young Thoroughbreds in training. J Vet Med Sci 2022 Nov 18;84(12):1585-1594.
          doi: 10.1292/jvms.22-0378pubmed: 36244743google scholar: lookup
        4. Vernemmen I, Van Steenkiste G, Dufourni A, Decloedt A, van Loon G. Transvenous electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation in horses: Horse and procedural factors correlated with success and recurrence. J Vet Intern Med 2022 Mar;36(2):758-769.
          doi: 10.1111/jvim.16395pubmed: 35246994google scholar: lookup
        5. Jansson A, Gunnarsson VÞ, Ringmark S, Ragnarsson S, Söderroos D, Ásgeirsson E, Jóhannsdóttir TR, Liedberg C, Stefánsdóttir GJ. Increased body fat content in horses alters metabolic and physiological exercise response, decreases performance, and increases locomotion asymmetry. Physiol Rep 2021 Jun;9(11):e14824.
          doi: 10.14814/phy2.14824pubmed: 34110691google scholar: lookup
        6. Tydén E, Jansson A, Ringmark S. Parasites in Horses Kept in A 2.5 Year-Round Grazing System in Nordic Conditions without Supplementary Feeding. Animals (Basel) 2019 Dec 17;9(12).
          doi: 10.3390/ani9121156pubmed: 31861066google scholar: lookup
        7. Tozaki T, Sato F, Ishimaru M, Kikuchi M, Kakoi H, Hirota KI, Nagata SI. Sequence variants of BIEC2-808543 near LCORL are associated with body composition in Thoroughbreds under training. J Equine Sci 2016;27(3):107-114.
          doi: 10.1294/jes.27.107pubmed: 27703405google scholar: lookup
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