The effect of training on stride parameters in a cohort of National Hunt racing Thoroughbreds: a preliminary study.
Authors: Ferrari M, Pfau T, Wilson A M, Weller R
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary This preliminary investigation examined how six months of structured training altered stride mechanics in National Hunt Thoroughbreds during high-speed locomotion, addressing a gap in understanding training-induced biomechanical adaptations under field conditions. Eight horses were equipped with foot-mounted accelerometers and GPS technology to measure stride frequency, stance time and protraction time during cantering in their first week back after summer break and again six months into the training programme. Whilst maximum speed remained unchanged between the two timepoints, training produced a small but statistically significant increase in stride frequency (2.160 to 2.167 strides/s at 11 m/s) alongside a meaningful reduction in protraction time (340.7 to 337.2 ms), whilst stance time remained constant. These findings suggest that training enhances stride efficiency primarily through swing phase mechanics rather than contact phase modifications, potentially reflecting neuromuscular adaptations that allow horses to cover ground more economically. For practitioners, this indicates that training effects on locomotor mechanics are subtle but measurable; understanding these adaptations may help optimise conditioning protocols to improve performance whilst strategically managing tissues under load, though larger studies are needed to establish whether different training approaches produce differential effects on these modifiable parameters.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Training adaptations in racehorses improve stride mechanics by increasing stride frequency and reducing protraction time, which may enhance efficiency without increasing top speed
- •Stance phase duration is stable throughout training, suggesting the weight-bearing phase is not modified by training and may have biomechanical constraints
- •Understanding which stride parameters respond to training can help optimize training protocols to maximize performance gains while reducing injury risk
Key Findings
- •Stride frequency increased significantly from 2.160 ± 0.120 to 2.167 ± 0.083 strides/s at 11 m/s after 6 months of training
- •Protraction time decreased significantly from 340.7 ± 20.4 ms to 337.2 ± 14.3 ms post-training
- •Stance time remained constant at approximately 125 ms throughout the training season
- •No statistically significant difference in maximum speed reached by horses pre- and post-training