Infrared Thermography Correlates with Lactate Concentration in Blood during Race Training in Horses.
Authors: Witkowska-Piłaszewicz Olga, Maśko Małgorzata, Domino Małgorzata, Winnicka Anna
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary Measuring blood lactate remains the gold standard for objectively assessing training adaptation in racehorses, yet the invasive sampling procedure causes stress that may compromise welfare and training data reliability. Researchers evaluated 40 Thoroughbreds in race training using simultaneous thermal imaging and venous lactate sampling at rest, immediately post-exercise, and 30 minutes into recovery, with infrared thermography standardised to 2 metres distance following international protocols. Remarkably strong correlations emerged between blood lactate concentration and surface temperature in the thoracic trapezius muscle at the 30-minute recovery point, with average temperature showing the strongest relationship (ρ = 0.85; p < 0.0001), alongside maximal and minimal temperature readings (both ρ = 0.83). These findings suggest infrared thermography could serve as a practical, non-invasive adjunct to conventional lactate testing for monitoring training progression and physiological adaptation in racing programmes, though the authors acknowledge that establishing standardised reference values and conducting further validation research remain essential before widespread clinical application. For farriers, veterinarians, and trainers involved in racehorse management, this offers potential for frequent, stress-free monitoring of training intensity without requiring repeated blood sampling—particularly valuable during intensive competition preparation phases.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Thermal imaging of the shoulder/upper trunk area could reduce stress from repeated blood sampling during training evaluations—a significant welfare improvement for racehorses
- •Infrared thermography cannot yet replace lactate testing without established reference values and further validation, but shows promise as a supplementary monitoring tool
- •Standardized thermal imaging protocols and reference ranges for different training intensities are needed before clinical adoption as a standalone fitness assessment method
Key Findings
- •Infrared thermography of the trapezius thoracic region showed strong positive correlation with blood lactate concentration 30 min post-exercise (ρ = 0.83–0.85, p < 0.0001)
- •Maximum, minimum, and average surface temperatures all demonstrated equally high correlations with lactate changes in the trapezius region
- •Thermal imaging offers a noninvasive alternative to repeated blood sampling for monitoring training adaptation in racehorses