Days-lost to training and competition in relation to workload in 263 elite show-jumping horses in four European countries

Abstract

This is an author produced version of a paper published in Preventive Veterinary Medicine. This paper has been peer-reviewed but may not include the final publisher proof-corrections or pagination. Orthopaedic, or other, injuries in sports medicine can be quantified using the 'days-lost to 27 training' concept. Both the training regimen and the surface used in training and racing can 28 affect the health of racehorses. Our aim was to associate 'days-lost to training' in elite-level 29show-jumpers to horse characteristics, training and management strategies, and the time spent 30 working on various training and competition surfaces. We designed a longitudinal study of 31 professional riders in four European countries. Data were recorded using training diaries. 32Reasons for days-lost were classified into non-acute and acute orthopaedic, medical, hoof-33 related, and undefined. We produced descriptive statistics of training durations, relative to 34 type of training, surfaces used, and days-lost. We created zero-inflated negative-binomial 35 random-effects models using the overall days-lost as outcome. In the whole dataset, duration 36 variables related to training surfaces were analysed as independent. The Swedish data only 37were also used to test whether duration variables were related to competition surfaces. 38Thirty-one riders with 263 horses provided data on 39,028 days at risk. Of these, 2357 (6.0%) 39were days-lost (55% and 22% of these were due to non-acute and acute orthopaedic injuries, 40 respectively) in 126 horses. 41In the all-country model, controlling for season, a significant variable was country. 42Switzerland and the UK had lower incidence-rate ratios (IR) compared to Sweden (IRs 0.2 43 and 0.03, respectively). Horses with previous orthopaedic problems had almost a doubled IR 44 (1.8) of days-lost due to orthopaedic injury, compared to baseline. If the horse had jumping 45 training more than 1 minute per day at risk the IRs were 6.9-7 (compared to less than this 46 amount of time); this was, however, likely an effect of a small baseline. Variation in training 47 was a protective factor with a dose-response relationship; the category with the highest 48 variation had an IR of 0. horses. Limited training use of sand surface was a risk-factor (IR 2.2; >4≤12 min/day at risk), 54 compared to not training on sand. Training/competing on sand-wood was a protective factor 55 (IRs 0.4-0.5) compared to not using this surface. 56 57

Survey of trainers on the use of swimming exercise for Standardbred racehorses in Australia

“…However, few trainers specified that swimming was used to prevent MSI. 31,32 Variation in training (cross-training) reduced the days-lost to training and competition from orthopaedic injury in elite showjumpers, 33 yet benefits of variation in activity have not been studied in Standardbreds. This is of interest because distance covered at speed is a risk factor for MSI, at least in Thoroughbred race horses.…”

“…29,30 A training program with a 30% reduction in the highintensity distance covered during the first few years of training in Swedish Standardbreds was equally as effective in achieving performance goals and was associated with fewer lost training days. 31,32 Variation in training (cross-training) reduced the days-lost to training and competition from orthopaedic injury in elite showjumpers, 33 yet benefits of variation in activity have not been studied in Standardbreds. Therefore, although strong evidence is lacking, it seems logical to replace some trackwork with other forms of training that would result in less overloading and cumulative stress on the musculoskeletal system rather than to subject horses to excessive track-based workloads, particularly those with MSI.…”

Veterinary aspects of training the show jumping horse

“…43 These were considered primarily chronic overuse injuries, pain and damage, potentially altering the gait, impacting on performance, and predisposing to other injury. 43 These were considered primarily chronic overuse injuries, pain and damage, potentially altering the gait, impacting on performance, and predisposing to other injury.…”

“…43 A rational training program is based on specific long-and shortterm goals. In a large epidemiological study of elite competition horses followed for a season, there was an average of 24% rest days (10-38)%.…”

<b>Estudo <i>in vitro</i> do potencial de diferenciação condrogênico e osteogênico de células mesenquimais obtidas de líquido e membrana sinovial de equinos</b>

“…Os desafios físicos nos cavalos, em especial os atletas depende de inúmeros fatores, incluindo a sua condição física, vulnerabilidade individual pré-existente e dos programas de treinamento, dos quais o total de carga e a intensidade de trabalho exercem significativo destaque (EGENVALL et al, 2013).…”