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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2019; 9(7); 446; doi: 10.3390/ani9070446

The Spatiotemporal Characteristics of 0-24-Goal Polo.

Abstract: Global positioning systems (GPS) have recently been shown to reliably quantify the spatiotemporal characteristics of Polo, with the physiological demands of Polo play at low- and high-goal levels also investigated. This study aims to describe the spatiotemporal demands of Polo across 0-24 goal levels. A player-worn GPS unit was used to quantify distance, speed and high-intensity activities performed. Data were divided into chukkas and five equine-based speed zones, grouped per cumulative player handicap and assessed using standardized mean differences. Average distance and speed per chukka increased in accordance with cumulative player handicap, with the magnitude of differences being trivial-large and trivial-very large, respectively. Differences between time spent in high-intensity speed zones (zones 4 and 5) show a linear increase in magnitude, when comparing 0 goal Polo to all other levels of play (Small-Very Large; 6-24 goals, respectively). High-intensity activities predominantly shared this trend, displaying trivial-large differences between levels. These findings highlight increased cardiovascular, anaerobic and speed based physiological demands on Polo ponies as playing level increases. Strategies such as high-intensity interval training, maximal speed work and aerobic conditioning may be warranted to facilitate this development and improve pony welfare and performance.
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Publication Date: 2019-07-16 PubMed ID: 31315210PubMed Central: PMC6680633DOI: 10.3390/ani9070446Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study examines the spatiotemporal demands of Polo across various skill levels (0-24 goals). Researchers used GPS to measure distance, speed, and high-intensity actions, and found that the physiological demands on Polo ponies increase with the level of play, suggesting the need for specific training and conditioning strategies.

Research Methodology and Structure

  • The researchers used player-worn GPS units to measure and quantify the demands of Polo at various levels of play. This included distance covered, speed, and high-intensity activities performed by both players and their ponies.
  • The data was divided into segments called “chukkas” and into five equine-based speed zones. The researchers then grouped this information according to the cumulative player handicap to assess differences.

Research Findings and Implications

  • The study found that both the average distance and speed per chukka increased in line with cumulative player handicap. The differences ranged from being said to be “trivial-large” and “trivial-very large” respectively.
  • Time spent in high-intensity speed zones increased linearly from the lowest level of play (0 goal) to the highest level (24 goals). The same trend was noticed in high-intensity activities performed, with differences deemed “trivial-large” between different levels.
  • The findings highlighted that greater physiological demands, including cardiovascular, anaerobic, and speed-based tasks, are placed on Polo ponies as the level of play increases.

Recommendations

  • Bearing in mind the increased physiological demands on Polo ponies, the researchers recommended the use of specific training strategies. These can include high-intensity interval training, maximal speed work, and aerobic conditioning. Applying such training methods could facilitate the ponies’ development, ultimately improving their performance and welfare.

Cite This Article

APA
Best R, Standing R. (2019). The Spatiotemporal Characteristics of 0-24-Goal Polo. Animals (Basel), 9(7), 446. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9070446

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 7
PII: 446

Researcher Affiliations

Best, Russ
  • Centre for Sport Science and Human Performance, Wintec, Hamilton 3288, New Zealand. Russell.Best@wintec.ac.nz.
  • School of Health and Social Care, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UK. Russell.Best@wintec.ac.nz.
Standing, Regan
  • Centre for Sport Science and Human Performance, Wintec, Hamilton 3288, New Zealand.

Grant Funding

  • 1 / Wintec Research Excellence Grant
  • 2 / PoloScience

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
  1. Best R. The player-pony dyad in Polo: lessons from other sports and future directions. Anim Front 2022 Jun;12(3):54-58.
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  3. Standing R, Best R. Strength and Reaction Time Capabilities of New Zealand Polo Players and Their Association with Polo Playing Handicap. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2019 Jul 25;4(3).
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  4. Schumacher A, Merle R, Stöckle S, Gehlen H. Player-Reported Perceptions of Lameness Risks and Contributing Factors for Polo Horses: Results from a Survey. Animals (Basel) 2025 Oct 29;15(21).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15213136pubmed: 41227466google scholar: lookup
  5. Schumacher A, Gehlen H. Health of Polo Horses. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jun 8;14(12).
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  6. Best R, Williams JM, Pearce J. The Physiological Requirements of and Nutritional Recommendations for Equestrian Riders. Nutrients 2023 Nov 30;15(23).
    doi: 10.3390/nu15234977pubmed: 38068833google scholar: lookup
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