Proof of Concept on Energy Expenditure Assessment Using Heart Rate Monitoring and Inertial Platforms in Show-jumping and Riding School Horses

Abstract

Currently, the most accurate and non-invasive method used to assess energy expenditure (EE) in sport horses is based on heart rate (HR) monitoring. However EE assessment using inertial platforms has been lately discussed in human sports medicine. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether inertial platforms would be useful tools to assess EE in horses.Six show-jumping and riding school horses (Thoroughbred and warmblood) were equipped with a HR monitoring system and a wireless inertial platform. Acceleration, HR and speed were measured during the exercise protocol that included walk, trot, canter and a sequence of 4 jumps. Stride maximum and minimum acceleration, and acceleration amplitude and root mean squares (RMS) were determined. Energy expenditure and oxygen uptake (VO 2 ) were calculated using HR and speed respectively. Bivariate correlations (non-parametric Spearman's ρ correlation) between EE, VO 2 and acceleration variables were tested.Spearman's ρ correlation was positive between both EE and VO 2 , and maximum acceleration, acceleration amplitude and RMS and negative for minimum acceleration. Acceleration variables of vertical and lateral movement were generally better correlated with EE and VO 2 (p < 0.001) than those of forward movement (p < 0.01).The results of this innovative approach reveal that the determination of EE in horses could be assessed using inertial platforms. Moreover vertical and lateral movements appear to influence more EE than forward movement.

How Much Energy Vaquejada Horses Spend in a Field Simulation Test?

“…As shown in Table 1 and Table 2 , EE was significantly higher in PH during gallop and in exercise as a whole when comparing with values recorded for HH. EE was calculated indirectly using HR [ 1 , 3 , 6 ]. As shown in Table 3 , HR was significantly higher in PH during gallop.…”

“…The direct measurement of oxygen consumption (VO 2 ) in a field evaluation of athletic horses is impractical [ 1 ]. However, VO 2 has a linear mathematical relation with heart rate (HR) and velocity [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ], which makes HR a useful tool for estimating energy metabolism during locomotion [ 6 ], especially in constant velocity and submaximal intensity exercises [ 3 , 7 , 8 ].…”

“…However, VO 2 has a linear mathematical relation with heart rate (HR) and velocity [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ], which makes HR a useful tool for estimating energy metabolism during locomotion [ 6 ], especially in constant velocity and submaximal intensity exercises [ 3 , 7 , 8 ]. In addition, measuring HR in field tests is easier, accessible and less costly [ 1 , 9 ] and has a huge advantage when considering genuine training conditions, such as rider load, behaviour and type of surface [ 9 , 10 ]. Portable systems, adapted for human applications [ 11 ], has enabled the indirect measurement of VO 2 in a wide variety of equestrian activities [ 1 , 5 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 13 ].…”

“…In addition, measuring HR in field tests is easier, accessible and less costly [ 1 , 9 ] and has a huge advantage when considering genuine training conditions, such as rider load, behaviour and type of surface [ 9 , 10 ]. Portable systems, adapted for human applications [ 11 ], has enabled the indirect measurement of VO 2 in a wide variety of equestrian activities [ 1 , 5 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 13 ]. Another important field metabolic measurement, includes measuring blood lactate [ 10 , 14 ], which helps estimate the aerobic and anaerobic contributions to energy expenditure [ 8 ].…”

Brief research report: Photoplethysmography pulse sensors designed to detect human heart rates are ineffective at measuring horse heart rates

“…Examples of beneficial applications include monitoring of recovery from physical exertion (Flethøj et al, 2016) and detecting responses to physical or emotional stress (von Borell et al, 2007). Heart rate monitoring technologies for horses exist; however, they typically are focused on core heart rate determination through sensors attached to equipment leveraged during exercise (Nery et al, 2018;Williams et al, 2019). The Polar Equine heart rate monitor has been validated during exercise and at rest (McDuffee et al, 2019;Frippiat et al, 2021); however, it is fairly expensive and requires the horse to wear a band around the thorax much like a girth.…”