The Physiological and Biochemical Response of Standardbred Horses to Exercise of Varying Speed and Duration

Abstract

LINDHOLM, ARNE and BENGT SALTIN: The physiological and biochemical response of standardbred horses to exercise of varying speed and duration. Acta vet. scand. 1974, 15, 310–324. — Welltrained standardbred horses were studied to examine the metabolic response to excercise of various speeds and duration. Comparisons between interval (400, 700, 1,000 and 2,000 m) and continuous trotting (1 hr., 2 hrs.) and racing were made. Muscle and rectal temperatures were recorded before and immediately after each work bout. Heart rate was linearly related to trotting speed, and maximal heart rate (240 beats × min.⁻¹) was achieved when trotting at least 700 m at close to maximal speed (12.0–12.5 m×sec.⁻¹). Biopsy specimens from the gluteus medius muscle and venous blood were obtained before and after each work bout. Muscle and blood lactate values were markedly increased first at speeds close to maximal speed (11.4–12.5 m×sec.⁻¹). Trotting 6×700 m at 12.5 m×sec.⁻¹ produced as high muscle and blood lactate values as 23.7 and 19.0 mmol×kg⁻¹ wet weight and l⁻¹, respectively. Corresponding values after a race were about 15 mmol×kg⁻¹ (muscle) and l⁻¹ (blood). Glycogen utilization was related to work intensity and was most pronounced during the first work bouts. At a speed of 12 m×sec.⁻¹ and trotting 2000 m, there was a glycogen utilization of near 12 mmol glucose units × kg⁻¹ × min.⁻¹ wet muscle. It is concluded that interval training over a distance of 700–1000 m repeated 4–6 times with a trotting speed close to maximal speed (11.4–12.5 m×sec.⁻¹) appears to be optimal. ATP; CP; blood lactate; glycogen utilization; heart rate; horse skeletal muscle; muscle lactate; racing training.