Training practices, speed and distances undertaken by Thoroughbred racehorses in Victoria, Australia.
exercise
gallop
horse
rest period
workout
Journal
Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
Titre abrégé: Equine Vet J
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 0173320
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Mar 2020
Mar 2020
Historique:
received:
09
07
2018
accepted:
25
07
2019
pubmed:
7
8
2019
medline:
2
7
2020
entrez:
7
8
2019
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) in racehorses are commonly due to bone fatigue, a function of the number of cycles (strides) and the magnitude of load applied to the limb. These parameters can be estimated using speed and distance, with greater than 6000 m/month at a gallop (>14 m/s), in combination with canter distances greater than 44,000 m/month, reported to increase fracture risk. Despite their importance, there are limited data on the distances and speeds horses are exposed to during training. Estimate training volume at different speeds undertaken by Australian Thoroughbred racehorses. Cross-sectional study. Registered trainers (n = 66) in Victoria, Australia were surveyed. Questions were designed to assess the full training workload from initial pre-training to training performed to achieve and maintain race fitness, as well as information on rest periods. Descriptive analyses were stratified by trainer- and horse-level factors, with assessment of variance within and between groups. Cluster analyses were used to identify similar workload intensity groups. Horse-level factors (age, targeted race distance) were associated with workload (younger<older, sprinters<stayers). Trainer categorisation did not influence workload, but there was significant variation in volume of total gallop exercise between trainers (median gallop distance 8000 m/month [IQR 6400-12,000]). Cluster analyses identified four workload programmes (medians): low-intensity (4800 m/month), medium-volume (8000 m/month), medium-volume with a higher proportion of high-speed workouts (12,800 m/month) and high-volume programmes (19,200 m/month), with 23, 50, 17 and 9% of trainers predominately training racehorses under each of the respective programmes. Horses 3-years and older were rested twice yearly for 6.3 (95% CI 5.7, 6.8) weeks, with more experienced trainers resting horses for shorter periods (P = 0.03). Possible selection bias, subjective reporting of workloads by trainers. Australian Thoroughbred training programmes include high volumes of galloping with more than half exceeding previously reported risk levels for MSI.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) in racehorses are commonly due to bone fatigue, a function of the number of cycles (strides) and the magnitude of load applied to the limb. These parameters can be estimated using speed and distance, with greater than 6000 m/month at a gallop (>14 m/s), in combination with canter distances greater than 44,000 m/month, reported to increase fracture risk. Despite their importance, there are limited data on the distances and speeds horses are exposed to during training.
OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVE
Estimate training volume at different speeds undertaken by Australian Thoroughbred racehorses.
STUDY DESIGN
METHODS
Cross-sectional study.
METHODS
METHODS
Registered trainers (n = 66) in Victoria, Australia were surveyed. Questions were designed to assess the full training workload from initial pre-training to training performed to achieve and maintain race fitness, as well as information on rest periods. Descriptive analyses were stratified by trainer- and horse-level factors, with assessment of variance within and between groups. Cluster analyses were used to identify similar workload intensity groups.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Horse-level factors (age, targeted race distance) were associated with workload (younger<older, sprinters<stayers). Trainer categorisation did not influence workload, but there was significant variation in volume of total gallop exercise between trainers (median gallop distance 8000 m/month [IQR 6400-12,000]). Cluster analyses identified four workload programmes (medians): low-intensity (4800 m/month), medium-volume (8000 m/month), medium-volume with a higher proportion of high-speed workouts (12,800 m/month) and high-volume programmes (19,200 m/month), with 23, 50, 17 and 9% of trainers predominately training racehorses under each of the respective programmes. Horses 3-years and older were rested twice yearly for 6.3 (95% CI 5.7, 6.8) weeks, with more experienced trainers resting horses for shorter periods (P = 0.03).
MAIN LIMITATIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Possible selection bias, subjective reporting of workloads by trainers.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Australian Thoroughbred training programmes include high volumes of galloping with more than half exceeding previously reported risk levels for MSI.
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
273-280Subventions
Organisme : University of Melbourne
Organisme : Racing Victoria Ltd
Organisme : Victorian Racing Industry Fund
Informations de copyright
© 2019 EVJ Ltd.
Références
Boden, L.A., Anderson, G.A., Charles, J.A., Morgan, K.L., Morton, J.M., Parkin, T.D.H., Slocombe, F.R. and Clarke, A.F. (2006) Risk of fatality and causes of death of Thoroughbred horses associated with racing in Victoria, Australia; 1989-2004. Equine Vet. J. 38, 312-318.
Martig, S., Chen, W., Lee, P.V. and Whitton, R.C. (2014) Bone fatigue and its implications for injuries in racehorses. Equine Vet. J. 46, 408-415.
Martig, S., Lee, P.V., Anderson, G.A. and Whitton, R.C. (2013) Compressive fatigue life of subchondral bone of the metacarpal condyle in thoroughbred racehorses. Bone 57, 392-398.
Harrison, S.M., Whitton, R.C., Kawcak, C.E., Stover, S.M. and Pandy, M.G. (2014) Evaluation of a subject-specific finite-element model of the equine metacarpophalangeal joint under physiological load. J. Biomech. 47, 65-73.
Verheyen, K., Price, J., Lanyon, L. and Wood, J. (2006) Exercise distance and speed affect the risk of fracture in racehorses. Bone 39, 1322-1330.
Bourdon, P.C., Cardinale, M., Murray, A., Gastin, P., Kellmann, M., Varley, M.C., Gabbett, T.J., Coutts, A.J., Burgess, D.J., Gregson, W. and Cable, N.T. (2017) Monitoring athlete training loads: consensus statement. Int. J. Sport Physiol. 12, S2161-S2170.
Holmes, J.M., Mirams, M., Mackie, E.J. and Whitton, R.C. (2014) Thoroughbred horses in race training have lower levels of subchondral bone remodelling in highly loaded regions of the distal metacarpus compared to horses resting from training. Vet. J. 202, 443-447.
Morrice-West, A., Hitchens, P., Walmsley, E. and Whitton, R. (2018) Track surfaces used for ridden workouts and alternatives to ridden exercise for Thoroughbred horses in race training. Animals 8, 221.
Firth, E.C., Rogers, C.W., Perkins, N.R., Anderson, B.H. and Grace, N.D. (2004) Musculoskeletal responses of 2-year-old Thoroughbred horses to early training. 1. Study design, and clinical, nutritional, radiological and histological observations. N. Z. Vet. J. 52, 261-271.
Makles, A. (2012) Stata tip 110: how to get the optimal k-means cluster solution. Stata J. 12, 347-351.
Schonlau, M. (2002) The clustergram: a graph for visualizing hierarchical and nonhierarchical cluster analyses. Stata J. 2, 391-402.
Schonlau, M. (2004) Visualizing hierarchical and non-hierarchical cluster analyses with clustergrams. Comp. Stat. 19, 95-111.
Wolfe, R. (1997) OMODEL: Stata modules to perform tests on ordered probit and ordered logit models. Statistical Software Components, Boston College, Department of Economics, Boston, MA.
Snijders, T. and Bosker, R. (1999) Multilevel Analysis: An Introduction to Basic and Advanced Multilevel Modelling, Sage, London.
Boston, R.C. and Nunamaker, D.M. (2000) Gait and speed as exercise components of risk factors associated with onset of fatigue injury of the third metacarpal bone in 2-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses. Am. J. Vet. Res. 61, 602-608.
Pagan, J.D., Mulvey, E., Oneill, K., Ireland, N. and Davies, M. (2017) Intensity and distance of exercise during training in advanced three-day event horses and thoroughbred racehorses assessed using KER ClockIt smartphone application. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 52, 67-68.
Verheyen, K., Henley, W., Price, J. and Wood, J. (2005) Training-related factors associated with dorsometacarpal disease in young Thoroughbred racehorses in the UK. Equine Vet. J. 37, 442-448.
Cogger, N., Perkins, N., Hodgson, D.R., Reid, S.W. and Evans, D.L. (2006) Risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries in 2-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses. Prev. Vet. Med. 74, 36-43.
Bolwell, C.F., Rogers, C.W., French, N.P. and Firth, E.C. (2013) The effect of interruptions during training on the time to the first trial and race start in Thoroughbred racehorses. Prev. Vet. Med. 108, 188-198.
Hodgson, D.R. and Rose, R.J. (1994) The Athletic Horse: Principles and Practice of Equine Sports Medicine, Saunders, Philidelphia, PA, USA.
Bailey, C.J., Reid, S.W., Hodgson, D.R. and Rose, R.J. (1999) Impact of injuries and disease on a cohort of two- and three-year-old thoroughbreds in training. Vet. Rec. 145, 487-493.
Bolwell, C.F., Russell, L.J. and Rogers, C.W. (2010) A cross-sectional survey of training practices of 2-year-old racehorses in the North Island of New Zealand. Comp. Exer. Physiol. 7, 37-42.
Sun, T. (2016) Fracture Incidence Rates and the Association of Rest with Bone Remodelling in Thoroughbred Racehorses at the Hong Kong Jockey Club. PhD Thesis, The University of Queensland, Queensland.
Perkins, N.R., Reid, S.W. and Morris, R.S. (2005) Profiling the New Zealand Thoroughbred racing industry. 1. Training, racing and general health patterns. N. Z. Vet. J. 53, 59-68.
Tanner, J.C., Rogers, C.W. and Firth, E.C. (2013) The association of 2-year-old training milestones with career length and racing success in a sample of Thoroughbred horses in New Zealand. Equine Vet. J. 45, 20-24.
Verheyen, K.L., Price, J.S. and Wood, J.L. (2009) Exercise during training is associated with racing performance in Thoroughbreds. Vet. J. 181, 43-47.
Parkin, T., Clegg, P., French, N., Proudman, C., Riggs, C., Singer, E., Webbon, P. and Morgan, K. (2004) Horse-level risk factors for fatal distal limb fracture in racing Thoroughbreds in the UK. Equine Vet. J. 36, 513-519.
Estberg, L., Stover, S.M., Gardner, I.A., Rake, C.M., Johnson, B. and Ardans, A. (1996) High-speed exercise history and catastrophic racing fracture in Thoroughbreds. Am. J. Vet. Res. 57, 1549-1555.
Vallance, S.A., Entwistle, R.C., Hitchens, P.L., Gardner, I.A. and Stover, S.M. (2013) Case-control study of high-speed exercise history of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racehorses that died related to a complete scapular fracture. Equine Vet. J. 45, 284-292.
Rosanowski, S.M., Chang, Y.M., Stirk, A.J. and Verheyen, K.L. (2016) Descriptive epidemiology of veterinary events in flat racing Thoroughbreds in Great Britain (2000 to 2013). Equine Vet. J. 49, 275-281.
Carrier, T.K., Estberg, L., Stover, S.M., Gardner, I.A., Johnson, B.J., Read, D.H. and Ardans, A.A. (1998) Association between long periods without high-speed workouts and risk of complete humeral or pelvic fracture in thoroughbred racehorses: 54 cases (1991-1994). J. Am. Vet. Med. Ass. 212, 1582-1587.
Hill, A.E., Gardner, I.A., Carpenter, T.E. and Stover, S.M. (2004) Effects of injury to the suspensory apparatus, exercise, and horseshoe characteristics on the risk of lateral condylar fracture and suspensory apparatus failure in forelimbs of Thoroughbred racehorses. Am. J. Vet. Res. 65, 1508-1517.
Pinchbeck, G.L., Clegg, P.D., Boyde, A., Barr, E.D. and Riggs, C.M. (2013) Horse-, training- and race-level risk factors for palmar/plantar osteochondral disease in the racing Thoroughbred. Equine Vet. J. 45, 582-586.
Rogers, C.W. and Firth, E.C. (2004) Musculoskeletal responses of 2-year-old Thoroughbred horses to early training. 2. Measurement error and effect of training stage on the Relationship between objective and subjective criteria of training workload. N. Z. Vet. J. 52, 272-279.