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Wilson, G and McGowan, CM (2019) Recovery heart rates as a predictor of race position in race-fit National Hunt racehorses. Comparative Exercise Physiology, 15 (5). pp. 307-312. ISSN 1755-2540
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Recovery heart rates as a predictor of race position in race-fit National Hunt Racehorses.pdf - Accepted Version Download (240kB) | Preview |
Abstract
Prediction of race-fitness using the principles of excess post-exercise oxygen consumption is a potentially valuable applied exercise physiology tool. We hypothesised that horses with a faster heart rate recovery (HRR) after a field test would perform better in their subsequent race. Twenty mature (17 experienced, 3 unraced) National Hunt horses (15 geldings, 5 mares; 6.5±1.1 years; 489±33.5 kg), underwent 34 pre-race 3-interval field exercise tests using telemetric heart rate (HR) and global positioning satellite (GPS) monitoring on a 1,400 m track inclined 32 m. Horses were classified into 3 groups based on post-exercise HRR values obtained 1 minute after peak HR during interval 3 (>140 bpm; unfit; 120-140 bpm; fit-to-race; <120 bpm; fully fit). All horses were from the same yard, under the same management and in their final stage of training (race-ready). Horses were excluded if they were lame or clinically unwell. The outcome measure of finishing in the top third of the field was compared to classification using 2×2 tables (Statcalc, EpiInfo). Peak HR, peak speed and 1 min HRR were 213.4±5.1 bpm, 49.3±1.8 kph and 125.3±15.8 for interval 3. Horses classified as unfit (n=8) did not race. Fully fit and fit-to-race horses competed in 26 jump races (23 hurdles, 3 bumper; 3,200-5,000 m). Fully fit (n=16) horses were more likely to finish in the top 3 of the field than fit-to-race (n=10) (odds ratio 12.0; 95% confidence interval 1.8-81.7; P=0.01). We conclude that HRR following interval exercise can be used as a predictor of race position in National Hunt racehorses and a useful guide for trainers.
| Item Type: | Article |
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| Additional Information: | The original publication is available at: https://dx.doi.org/10.3920/cep180053 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | 0606 Physiology, 0707 Veterinary Sciences |
| Subjects: | Q Science > QL Zoology R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC1200 Sports Medicine |
| Divisions: | Sport & Exercise Sciences |
| Publisher: | Wageningen Academic Publishers |
| Date Deposited: | 06 Oct 2020 08:17 |
| Last Modified: | 04 Sep 2021 06:34 |
| DOI or ID number: | 10.3920/cep180053 |
| URI: | https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/13788 |
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