더러브렛 경주마에서 혈액수치 및 훈련중 실시간 심박수/속도와 운동능력과의 상관관계

Abstract

Recently, the horse racing industry in Korea has developed rapidly with good betting turnover. However, the study of equine sports medicine in Korea is less popular than other countries. One of the most important elements in enhancing the performance of racehorses is the study of equine exercise physiology. This study is to investigate physiological characteristics of racehorses during training and on raceday, and to find good parameters for detecting athletic fitness for racing in Korea. The first study was performed to analyze the results of pre-race blood test on raceday and evaluate the correlation of the performance in Thoroughbred racehorses. Twenty one healthy 3- to 6-year-old Thoroughbreds were used to collect blood samples. Hematologic and biochemical measurements were performed. Results were evaluated to the correlation of racing performance. Red blood cell indices, RBC, Hb and PCV were elevated in hematological profile, and AP, AST and GGT were also elevated in biochemical profile in pre-race blood test on raceday. RBC, Hb and PCV of high performance of racehorses were significantly lower than those of low class racehorses. There were significant correlationships between rating, placing strike rate, prize money per race, G3F and RBC, Hb, PCV. Also, AST value was significantly correlated to prize money per race. The Second study was to measure heart rate and velocity of Thoroughbred racehorses during training and evaluate the correlation of performance of racehorses with these parameters. Twelve healthy 2- to 6-year-old Thoroughbreds were used in this study to measure real time heart rate and velocity with GPS and heart monitoring system. The mean heart rate and velocity in trot were 133.8 ± 28.1 beats/min, 12.4 ± 1.1 km/h, respectively. The mean velocity and heart rate in canter were 176.5 ± 23.5 beats/min, 31.9 ± 7.9 km/h, respectively. The differences of mean heart rate and velocity between high and low performance groups were not statistically significant. Lastly, a study was performed to apply the measurement of heart rate and velocity for assessing racing performance. Eleven healthy 2- to 6-year-old Thoroughbreds were trained by the standard training program with gallop speed using GPS and heart monitoring system. Regression analysis in heart rate and velocity data were performed to calculate V_140, V_180, V_200, VHR_max. The mean maximal heart rate in gallop was 214 ± 11 bpm. The mean V_140, V_180, V_200, VHR_max were 13.8 ± 4.3 km/h, 37.5 ± 3.8 km/h, 49.3 ± 4.3 km/h, 57.4 ± 7.1 km/h respectively. V_140 of high performance of racehorses was significantly higher than that of low performance of racehorses. There were significant correlationships between V_140, V_180, VHR_max and rating, prize money per race. Also, V_140 was significantly correlated to G1F. These results revealed that the pre-race blood test results on raceday and the measurement of heart rate and velocity during training could be useful methods to assess fitness for races or performance potential. Especially, V_140 is a good parameter to evaluate a performance of racehorses in Korea racing industry.