Evaluation of sports performance in horses of the Silla Argentino breed by plasma lactate concentration on a treadmill

Abstract

Assessment of sports performance in equine breed Silla Argentino by measuring the lactate concentration on a treadmill. Physiological constants, and the different calculations that can be extrapolated from blood lactate concentrations, offer information about the health and athletic performance that an elite athlete horse can attain. This study evaluated the athletic performance of jumping horses of the Silla Argentino breed by monitoring their plasma lactate concentration (LAC) and their heart rate (HR) on a commercial treadmill at different inclinations. Fifteen horses from the Police Riding School, located in Bogotá, Colombia, were assessed. Blood and HR samples were taken at rest (0% inclination), during the test (5.5, 10.5, and 15.5% inclination), and during the cooling period. Results showed a baseline value for LAC of 0.43 ± 0.15 mmol·L-1 and HR of 36 ± 10 beats per minute (bpm). It was evidenced a positive correlation among the variables as the treadmill inclination increased. No significant differences were found for the LAC means (P>0.05), opposite to the comparisons of the HR means (P<0.05). The aerobic threshold for the analyzed population begins at 10.5% elevation in the treadmill with a mean HR of 71 bpm. In conclusion, equines studied from the Silla Argentino jumping breed can maintain, or improve, their athletic performance with the conditions established by the treadmill in speed and inclinations, improving the aerobic threshold.