Distance exercised during submaximal training on race winnings for Thoroughbred racehorses

Abstract

Evaluations of the physical fitness of Thoroughbred racehorses have been correlated with race earnings, but few reports exist about the influence of the distance exercised during training on both physical conditioning indices and financial productivity. During one training season sixteen claiming Thoroughbred horses were subjected to submaximal training and monitored by a global positioning system (GPS) coupled to a heart rate monitor. After initial and single monitoring, the horses were distributed into two groups of eight individuals each; one group exercised short distances (SD) between 1600 and 1900m, while the other exercised long distances (LD) between 2000 and 2350m. The duration (min) and mean and maximal velocities (ms-1)attained during each session were determined, as well as the difference in distances exercised (m) between official races and each training session. Blood lactate concentration ([LA]) during recovery was also determined. Student's t-test was used for a non-paired analysis, with P≤0.05 considered significant. The winnings (USD) of each horse were correlated with the peak heart rate (HRpeak) attained during the training session. The distances exercised in the training sessions were greater in relation to the official races distances by 24.7% and 40% for SD and LD, respectively. Lactatemia did not differ between the groups. The HRpeak obtained during the training session was lower in LD group. The velocity at which the heart rate reached 200 bpm (V200) was higher in LD group. There was a moderate correlation (r= 0.42) between the highest winnings and lowest HRpeak. The horses that ran longer distances during their submaximal training session had better cardiac conditioning and tendency to increase financial productivity