The Effect of Long Slow Distance Training on Aerobic Work Capacity in Young Thoroughbred Horses Atsushi HIRAGA*, Makoto KAI, Katsuyoshi KUBO, and B. Kipp ERICKSON Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, 27-7 Tsurumaki 5-chome, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 154, Japan We investigated the effect of long slow distance training on aerobic work capacityn eleven 2 year-old Thoroughbred horses. Eight weeks of training (5 daysiweek) was performed on a track a a slow canter, 6 horses were cantered 3,200 m for 3 weeks, and then increased to 4,800 J. Equine Sci. Vol. 6, No. pp. 1-6, 1995 1m for 5 weeks (Group L),shile the other 5 horses were cantered 800 m throughout the same training period (Group S). Each horse performed an incremental exercve test on treadmill before (Pre-test) and after (Post-est) the training period. Inthe Pretest, there weve no significant difference between Group L and Group S regarding Vozpeak (152.6% 13.2 inlibginin in Group Lvs 149.9%17.1 mllkginin in Group 8) or the slope of the regression line for Von and running speed. Peak heart rats (HR peak; 221 ,8:+6.7 beats!nin in Group L vs 225,6%7.7 beatsimin in Group S), and peal Blod lactate concentrations (LA peak: 14.423.3 ‘mmol! in Group L vs 13.023. mmolll in Group S) were not significantly different between the two groups. In the Posts, there were no significant differences between groups in Vopeak (156.1£11.5 mlikgimin vs 152.6%5.4 mUleginin in Groups L and S, respective), slope for Voz.and speed, HRpeak (224.0:6.4 beatslmin vs 227.2368 beats!min in Group L and Group S, respectively) o LApeak (15.2£3.2 moll n Group L vs 13.3.1 mmolllin Group 8). These results indicate that inthe case of low intensity cantering of &-reek raining, differences in training distance do no significantly affect the degree of improvement in aerobic swork capacity inthe young Thoroughbred hors. Key words: aerubic work capacity, canter distance, Thoroughbred, training Improving the aerobic work capacity in growing racehorses is important for maximizing their performance potentially. Although the training program imposed on young horses after breaking is based on the longstanding experience of train- ers, much remains unclear as to what effects such taining exerts on the physiological function of young Thoroughbreds actually in the process of training for racing. Erickson etal. [1] and Sexton et al, (8] studied the effect of slow cantering training on 2year-old Quarter horses, and named the conventional training method of cantering at relatively low intensity “long slow distance training (LSD)”. LSD is usually applied to young horses in the initial stages of training; however, it has not yet This arcle was submitted January 15, 109 Apsl 13, 1995, corresponding author: and was accepted been clarified how the aerobic work capacity of young horses is affected by differences in the training distance during slow cantering. In this regard, the present study was carried out to determine the effects of LSD on aerobic work capacity of young Thoroughbred horses. Materials and Methods Eleven 2-year-old Thoroughbred horses were used in this study. All horses were broken to handling and riding in October of yearling and then trained on a track with trot and slow canter (within 800 m:400 m/min). Eight weeks of training was performed at a low intensity, slow canter from, January of 2-year-old, 6 horses were cantered over ‘a distance of 4,800 m (Group L), while the other 52 A. HIRAGA, M. KAL horses were cantered over 800 m (Group $). In Group L, the horse began the LSD by cantering 3,200 m for 3 weeks, and then the canter distance was increased to 4,800 m for 5 weeks. In Group S, the horses cantered 800 m throughout the training period. The horses were exercised 5 daysiweek for 8 weeks on a dirt track. Running speed wa regulated by a rider to approximately 400 m/min in both groups. Heart rate (HR) during training, was monitored at the 8th week of training by using, heart rate monitor (PE-3000, Polar, Finland). The beatsimin in both groups. ‘The feeding regime was the same for both groups throughout the study (estimated digestive energy 31 Meal). Prior to an exercise test, all horses were acclimatized to exercise on a high-speed treadmill (Mustang-200, Kagra, Switzerland), while wear- ing a respiratory gas collection mask The exercise tests were performed before (Pre- test) and after (Post-test) the training period. Age and body weight at the test are shown in Table 1. Following 5 min of level wotting at 4.0 mis (Warm-up) and 5 min rest, each horse began the exercise test at 1.8 m/s for I min, followed by I min step increments at 2.7, 34, 4.5, 54, 6.8, 9.0, 98, 10.8 and 11.6 m/s with the treadmill inclined co 10% [5]. The exercise test was terminated when it was obvious that the horse could not mainta position without assistance from the holder. After completion of incremental exercise, the horse was walked 1.0 m/s for 15 min at the same treadmill incline (10%). The maximum number of steps completed during the exercise test (STEPmax) was calculated and was expressed as the number of completed steps plus @ decimal equivalent based ‘on the number of seconds duration during the last step [5] Measurements of oxygen uptake (Vox) and carbon dioxide production (Vco.) were performed continuously during the exercise test using a bias flow ventilatory system for horses calibrated at the end of each exercise test [2]. HR was recorded Table 1. Experimental horses Pre Age (month) Body weight (kg) L 21207 ssa s = 465.4220.1 Ls Group L, S: Group 8. K. KUBO EF AL continuously with a heart rate monitor and caleu- lated during the last 30 sat each step. Prior to the exercise test, an intravenous catheter was aseptical- ly inserted into the right jugular vein and secured by suture, The catheter was flushed regularly with heparinized saline to maintain patency throughout the exercise test. Blood samples were collected over the last 10 s of each step for measurement of blood lactate concentration (LA) and packed cell volume (PCV). LA was measured using an auto- mated blood lactate analyzer (YSI-1500_ sport, Yellow Spring Instrument, Ohio). PCV was deter- mined by the microhematocrit method. Asymptot- ic data from the final two or three steps in the exercise test were not used in the regression analysis of Vox, Veoy and HR versus speed. Data from Group L and Group $ were compared by means of the Student-T test. The results are presented as mean*SD. Results In the Pre-test, Voy increased linearly as the running speed increased (Fig. 1). The slope of the regression line for Voz and speed was 14.16 in Group L and 14.27 in Group S. The peak Voy value (Voypeak) obtained at the last two steps in the incremental exercise was 152.613.2 ml/kg! min in group Land 149.9417.1 ml/kg/min in group S. Veo increased linearly, reaching its peak (Veox peak: Group L; 1844+20.1 ml/kg/min, Group S; 177.6+9.1 ml/kg/min) in the final step (Fig. 1), Vou and Veos decreased rapidly following the end of the incremental test (Table 2). LA increased exponentially with an inerease in run- ning speed, showing a rapid increase beginning at about 9.0 m/s (Fig. 2). Its peak (LApeak) was obtained 1 {0 5 min after the end of incremental exercise in most cases, with the value being 1443.3 mmol/l in Group Land 13.0+3.5 mmol in Group S. LA decreased slowly only after the end Post Age (month) Body weight (kg) 51. 2222.1 48202197 242807 245802EFFEC OF DISTANCE IN THOROUGHBRED 3 2oof Pre Test 2 15, Pre Test Ziel =! S | ems 150] nr) ro9} & : 3 < S s0 5 9} 5 2250] 3150} uw = J £200) 100} s = ~ S 50} = > 100 otis 802 ota e_ te speed ois) speed oe Mean oxygen uptake (VoztS.D) and mean carbon Figs 2 Mean bear rate (HRS D ) and mean blood lactate dicnideprodton(Veors81D) as. Tuncton of concentration (LAS.D) 494 nto of speed a speed at the prevest. Table 2 Mean (48D) values after exercise “Time alter exercise Parameters — 1 min 5 min 15 min Pre sases7 30.0882 s Sioe38 290829 Post L S72e22 28.520 s SanES4 S050 Veos Pre Ls s0635 5824 Askin) s yas27 Post 274439 Ss 2032 HR Pre L: MO3EI16 1238471 15.8460) {beatsmin) Si MSSEIRS 125654134 16.8288 Pot L WeosTs 1173290 s L26#158 (2662172 La Pre Ls M0880 waes7 logs4s Amo Ss: 127830 128487 747 Pot 1: 147420 1533 126287 Si 1s0e28 183286 w2s41 Pov Pre Ls 555828 SRTHSS—aT.BHBS ( Si MueL7 — abels — aB08R6 Pow L: 584224 Soet24 S: 572817 552816 Group L, $: Group 8‘ A. HIRAGA, M. KAI, K, KUBO ETAL of incremental exercise, remaining high even at 15, min (Table 2). HR increased linearly and praetical- ly leveled off in the last two steps (Fig. 2). The slope of the regression line for HR and the speed was 14.23 in Group Land 14.88 in Group S. HR reached its peak (HRpeak) in the final step, with a value of 221.86.7 beatsmin in Group L and 295.67,7 beatsimin in Group S. HR decreased, rapidly after the end of incremental exercise (Table 2). Peak PCV (PCVpeak: Group. Li 55.842.7%, Group S; 54.8 1.9%) was obtained at last step and there was no intergroup difference between both groups. STEPmax was 8.8:40.6 in Group L and 8.6+0.8 in Group S. Similar to the Pre-test results, the Post-test results demonstrated that Voy increased linearly with increasing running speed, and leveled off in the last two or three steps (Fig. 3). The slope o regression line for Voy and speed was 4 Group Land 15.05 in Group S. The values of Vos peak obtained in the last two steps were 156.1 11.1 mVkg/min and 152.645.4 mV/kg/min in Groups L and S, respectively. Veo continued to increase during incremental exercise (Fig. 3), showing no intergroup difference in slope or Veos peak obtained in the last step (Group L; 198.7 11.6 mlkg/min, Group 8; 189.6£11.0 ml/kgimin), in the same manner as in the Pre-test. LA during Post Test 8 ee incremental exercise tended to be slightly lower in Group L (Fig. 4), but the difference was not significant. LApeak was obtained 1 to 5 min after incremental exercise, as in the Pre-test; the value was 15.2+3.2 mmol/l in Group L and 13.63.1 mmol/l in Group S. LA remained high even 15 min after the end of incremental exercise, as in the Pre-test (Table 2). The pattern of changes in HR. was similar to that obtained in the Pre-test. The slope of the regression line for HR and speed was 13.77 in Group L and 15.03 in Group S, and the values for HRpeak were 224.0+6.4 beats/min and 227.246.8 beats/min, respectively. There was also no intergroup difference in PCVpeak, as in the Pre-test (PCV peak: Group L; 59.4+3.0%, Group, S; 57.62 1.6%). STEPmax was 9440.3 in Group L, which is higher than the corresponding value, 8.604, in Group S (P<0.05) Discussion We investigated the effect of differences in distance at low intensity cantering on the aerobic work capacity of young horses, by conducting a 8-week training of young Thoroughbred horses assigned to either a long distance group or a short distance group. The training was begun in Janu- 15, Post Test =9e08 2 Ses 2 Sone $ E150 = 10] sod i 8 <5 S sol s q £250] 3150} 3 g 2200} E109 a 3 = 150 S50 = s 100 ot i o 2 4—é_@ i speed nt) speed a Fig. 3. Mean oxygen uptake (YoutS.D,) and mean carbon Fig. 4. Mean heart rate (HR:S.D.) and mean blood lactate dioxide production (Vo,+8.D.) as a function of speed at the posttest concentration (LA£S.D.} as a function of speed at the Posttes,EFFECT OF DISTANCE IN THOROUGHBRED 5 ary, when a regular training on the track starts following breaking in Japan. The HR determined during exercise of actual training was 140-150 beatsimin in both groups, consistent with the results of LSD reported by previously [8]. These levels correspond to about 55-60% of HRpeak values obtained for individual horses in the stand~ ardized exercise test. In the present study, weight gain at the end of the 8-week training tended to be lower in Group L. This was probably because the same feecling method was used in the two groups, so that weight gain was suppressed in Group L. associated with a greater energy consumption during exercise. In the present study, Voupeak was achieved in the last two steps in each horse and the value of Vozpeak seemed to close to the value of Vosmax. There was no significant difference between Group Land S regarding Voupeak or the slope of the regression line for Vox and the running speed in the Pre-test. This indicates that there was no difference in aerobic work capacity between the two groups before the beginning of training, The lack of intergroup difference in aerobic work capacity was also corroborated by the findings that there was no difference in other useful indices of aerobic work capacity (ie., HRpeak and the pattern of changes in HR or LA in relation to the running speed). As an index of the performance during treadmill exercise, STEPmax was meas- ured [6}. This isa useful method for estimating the performance of a horse during treadmill exercise In the present study, the two groups also showed no difference in this index. prior to training demonstrating the lack of difference in their performance in the Posctest, the evo groups showed no difference in Vospeak or the slope of the regres- sion line of Vor and the speed. On the other hand, changes in HR in relation to the speed tended to be less conspicuous in Group L, and LA was also slightly lower in this group. However, the differ- ence from Group $ was not statistically significant. These results indicate that, in the case of low intensity cantering, difference in distance hardly affects the degree of improvement in aerobic work capacity. STEPmax was the only parameter that showed a intergroup difference in the Post-test; it was high in Group L, resulting in improvement in performance of horses in this group. Although the definite explanation for this finding is unclear, itis possible that the longer distance of cantering caused a greater strength of muscle, bone, tendo and ligament to exercise, leading to overall in provement in performance. ‘The suppression of weight gain found in this group may also have been advantageous in improving the performance. In the present study, the 8-week training achieved no evident effect in cither group, although Vozpeak obtained at the Post-test were slightly higher than those of Pre-test. Knight et al [S} observed the effects of a 6-week training at the level of 40% Voomax in adult horses, and found that a beneficial effect of training was present in various indices including Voomax 2 weeks afte the beginning of training, with hardly any addi- tional improvement occurring thereafter. Similar findings were obtained in another study [8]. These findings show that low intensity exercise can achieve a good effect in the early stages of training, The lack of evident efficiency of the B-week training in the present study may be wed by the effect of exercise during break- ing which preceded the Pre-test. This exercise may have potentially achieved some extent of training effect, making the effect of the subsequent &-week training obscure. Furthermore, where young horse are concerned, the effects of growth should also be taken into consideration in addition to the effects of training itself [4]. Considering the fact that similar results were obtained when same aged horses were examined by a standardized exercise test in the field (Kubo et al;unpublished data), itis inferred that the training effect is not likely to become apparent in horses at this stage of growth. For young horses in the initial stage of training, it is important to strengthen muscles, ligaments, bones,tendons, form a better relationship with the rider, and improve the aerobic work capacity, The present study by conducting an 8-week trainin demonstrated that the distance of low intensity cantering does not contribute to improvement in the aerobic work capacity in young horse. From this point, it is suggested that in the case of low intensity training at this stage aimed only at improving the aerobic work capacity, the distance of low intensity cantering need not be very long. Acknowledgments The authors thank and acknowledge the dedi-6 A. HIRAGA, M. KA cated efforts of the members of the Utsunomiya Yearling Training Farm, Japan Racing Associa- tion, References 1. Erickson, H.H., Sexton, W.L., Erickson, B.K., and Coffman, J.R. 1987. Cardiopul- monary responses to exercise and detraining in the Quarter horse. pp. 41-51. In: Equine Exercise Physiology 2 Gillespie, J.R., and Robinson, N.E. ed.), ICEEP Publications, Davis, CA. 2. Erickson, B.K., Seaman, J., Kubo, K., Hiraga, A., Kai, M., Yamaya, Y., and Wagner, P.D. 1994, Mechanism of reduction in alveolar- arterial PO. difference by helium breathing in exercising horse. J. Appl. Physiol. 76: 2794— 2801 3. Knight, P.K., Sinha, A.K., and Rose, RJ 1991. Effects of training intensity on max: imum oxygen uptake. pp. 7-82. In: Equine Exercise Physiology 3 (Persson, $.G.B., Lind- holm, A., and Jeffcot, LB. ed.), ICEEP Publications, Uppsara, Sweden. 4. Persson, S.G.B,, Essen-Gustaysson, B., Lin- KUBO ET AL dhol, A., McMiken, D.,and Thornton, JR. 1983. Cardiorespiratory and metabolic ef- fects of training of Standardbred yearling, pp. 458-469. In: Equine Exercise Physiology (Snow, D.H., Persson, $.G.B., and Rose, RJ. ed.), Granta Editions, Cambridge Secherman, HJ., and Morris, E.A. 1990. Methodology and repeatability of a standard- ized treadmill exercise test for clinical eval uation of fitness in horses. Equine Vet. J Suppl. 9: 20-2 Secherman, H.J.. and Mortis, EA. 1990, Application of 2 standardized weadmill exer cise test for clinical evaluation of fitness in 10 Thoroughbred race horses. Equine Vet. J Suppl. 9 26-34. Seeherman, HJJ., and Morris, E.A. 199) Comparison of yearling, two-year-old. and adult Thoroughbred using a standardised exercise test. Equine Vet. J. Sexton, W.L., Erickson, H.H., and Coffman, J.R. 1987. Cardiopulmonary and. metabolic responses to exercise in the Quarter horse: Effect of training. pp. 77-91. In: Equine Exercise Physiology 2 (Gillespie, J-R., and Robinson, NE. ed.), ICEEP Publications Davis, CA.