Speed and incline during Thoroughbred horse racing: racehorse speed supports a metabolic power constraint to incline running but not to decline running

被引:22
作者
Self, Z. T. [1 ]
Spence, A. J. [1 ]
Wilson, A. M. [1 ]
机构
[1] Univ London, Royal Vet Coll, Struct & Mot Lab, Hatfield AL9 7TA, Herts, England
基金
英国生物技术与生命科学研究理事会;
关键词
biomechanics; horse; athletic performance; EQUUS-CABALLUS; GALLOP LOCOMOTION; STRIDE PARAMETERS; MECHANICAL WORK; EFFICIENCY; COST; WALKING; UPHILL; FORCES; PERSPECTIVE;
D O I
10.1152/japplphysiol.00560.2011
中图分类号
Q4 [生理学];
学科分类号
071003 ;
摘要
We used a radio tracking system to examine the speed of 373 racehorses on different gradients on an undulating racecourse during 33 races, each lasting a few minutes. Horses show a speed detriment on inclines (0.68 m.s(-1).1% gradient(-1), r(2) = 0.97), the magnitude of which corresponds to trading off the metabolic cost (power) of height gain with the metabolic cost (power) of horizontal galloping. A similar relationship can be derived from published data for human runners. The horses, however, were also slower on the decline (-0.45 m.s(-1).1% gradient(-1), r(2) = 0.92). Human athletes run faster on a decline, which can be explained by the energy gained by the center of mass from height loss. This study has shown that horses go slower, which may be attributable to the anatomical simplicity of their front legs limiting weight support and stability when going downhill. These findings provide insight into limits to athletic performance in racehorses, which may be used to inform training regimens, as well as advancing knowledge from both veterinary and basic science perspectives.
引用
收藏
页码:602 / 607
页数:6
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