Assessment of high-intensity over-ground conditioning and simulated racing on aerobic and anaerobic capacities in racehorses

Abstract

A prospective, randomised study assessed the impact of high-intensity racetrack conditioning on aerobic and anaerobic capacities in seasoned Thoroughbred racehorses. The effect of 10 weeks race conditioning and two simulated races on V̇O2max and maximum accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD) were evaluated. An incremental treadmill test to determine V̇O2max, followed by three supramaximal runs to fatigue (at speeds (V105%, V115%, V125%) corresponding to oxygen requirements 105%, 115% and 125% of V̇O2max, in randomised order) were performed at each timepoint (T1 [pre-conditioning] and T2 [post-conditioning]). Prior to T1, racehorses were briefly de-trained for four-six weeks and given low-level treadmill conditioning to prepare them for the more strenuous race conditioning after T1. Paired variables between T1 and T2 were analysed using a paired t-test. A 2-way RM ANOVA compared variables with >1 measurement. Speed at V̇O2max (P=0.04) and V̇O2max (P=0.01) increased with conditioning. Calculated speeds for the supramaximal runs increased for V105% (P=0.02) and V115% (P=0.03) but not for V125% (P=0.08). There was no conditioning effect on time to fatigue (P=0.34), although it was different between all intensities (2.8, 2.2 and 1.4 mins at V105%, V115% and V125% respectively at T2). O2 demand increased with conditioning (P=0.02) for each supramaximal intensity. On average, horses’ aerobic capacity improved 4.43% after conditioning. MAOD was unchanged with conditioning (P=0.25) and unaffected by exercise intensity. Fit racehorses that have undergone repeated intensive training programs, experience smaller, incremental improvement than completely unfit horses. The anaerobic capacity of previously trained racehorses is relatively stable, despite brief periods of de-training.