The use of functional indexes to evaluate fitness in Andalusian horses.
Abstract: The fitness of 8 Andalusian horses between 3 and 4 years of age was analysed. The animals were subjected to an exercise test on a sandy track consisting of 2 stages of different intensities. The first stage was of submaximal intensity at 4 speeds which increased progressively (4.17, 5.56, 6.94 and 8.33 m/sec.) covering a distance of 1,000 m in each level. Between each of these speeds, the horses rested for 2 min. The second stage was a maximal speed test over the same distance carried out 2 min after the ending of the maximal phase. Data of heart rate, plasma lactate concentration, velocity, PCV and pH in the blood were obtained. Maximum heart rate, maximum velocity, VLA2, VLA4, peak lactate, minimum pH and maximum PCV were considered functional indexes. A principal component enabled us to segregate horses according to their fitness and in relation to the information provided by the trainers in charge of these horses. The most discriminant variables in order to segregate horses were pHmin, VLA4, HRmax, VLA2 and Vmax. Differences between horses in relation to PCVmax were not found. The influence of each one of these functional indexes on the test exercise tolerance was discussed.
Publication Date: 1997-10-29 PubMed ID: 9342696DOI: 10.1292/jvms.59.747Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research investigates the physical fitness of Andalusian horses using different measurement indicators. This study used functional indexes, such as heart rate and blood pH, to analyze eight horses’ performance during a two-stage exercise test.
Research Methodology
- The study involved 8 Andalusian horses, each aged between 3 and 4 years, being subjected to a two-stage exercise test on a sandy track.
- The first stage incorporated four increasing speeds (4.17, 5.56, 6.94, and 8.33 m/sec), each for a distance of 1,000 meters. The horses were given a two-minute rest between each speed increase.
- The second stage involved a maximal speed test over the same 1,000 meter distance, commencing two minutes after the initial stage.
Data Collection and Interpretation
- Various physiological parameters were measured including heart rate, plasma lactate concentration (a marker for anaerobic metabolism), velocity, packed cell volume (PCV – a measurement of the proportion of blood made up by cells), and blood pH levels.
- Maximum heart rate, maximum velocity, VLA2 and VLA4 velocities, peak lactate levels, minimum pH, and maximum PCV were isolated as functional indexes, offering a comprehensive perspective on the horses’ fitness levels.
- Principal component analysis, a statistical method used to highlight patterns and summarize the data, helped segregate the horses according to their fitness levels based on these parameters.
Key Findings
- The most discriminatory variables in separating horses’ fitness levels were identified as the minimum pH levels, VLA4 (the velocity at which blood lactate concentration reaches 4 mmol/L), maximum heart rate, VLA2 (velocity at which blood lactate concentration reaches 2 mmol/L), and maximum velocity.
- No significant differences were found between the horses in relation to maximum PCV, indicating it might not be an effective functional index to distinguish fitness levels in Andalusian horses.
- The research discussed the impact of each of these functional indexes on the exercise tolerance of the horses during the test.
Cite This Article
APA
Muñoz A, Santisteban R, Rubio MD, Vivo R, Agüera EI, Escribano BM, Castejón FM.
(1997).
The use of functional indexes to evaluate fitness in Andalusian horses.
J Vet Med Sci, 59(9), 747-752.
https://doi.org/10.1292/jvms.59.747 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Spain.
MeSH Terms
- Aging / physiology
- Animals
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Gait / physiology
- Heart Rate / physiology
- Horses / blood
- Horses / genetics
- Horses / physiology
- Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
- Lactates / blood
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Running / physiology
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- de Bruijn CM, Houterman W, Ploeg M, Ducro B, Boshuizen B, Goethals K, Verdegaal EL, Delesalle C. Monitoring training response in young Friesian dressage horses using two different standardised exercise tests (SETs). BMC Vet Res 2017 Feb 14;13(1):49.
- Castejón-Riber C, Muñoz A, Trigo P, Riber C, Santisteban R, Castejón F. Comparative ergoespirometric adaptations to a treadmill exercise test in untrained show Andalusian and Arabian horses. Vet Res Commun 2012 Mar;36(1):41-6.
- Muñoz A, Santisteban R, Rubio MD, Riber C, Agüera EI, Castejón FM. Locomotor response to exercise in relation to plasma lactate accumulation and heart rate in Andalusian and Anglo-Arabian horses. Vet Res Commun 1999 Oct;23(6):369-84.
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