ABSTRACT
Evaluations of athletic performance markers of Crioulo breed horses are scarce yet fundamentally important regarding possible unique characteristics of this breed. This study aimed to evaluate and determine heart rate, speed, blood lactate and energy expenditure patterns of Crioulo breed horses during qualifying tests in the functional phases of the “Freio de Ouro” championship. Higher values of heart rate during the phases “andadura, figura, voltas sobre patas, esbarradas” (And/Fig/VSP) (203bpm) and lower values at “Paleteada II” (185bpm) (P<0.05) were noticed. Regarding speed variable, the maximum value was registered at “Paleteada II” (39.7km/h). During all the phases, blood lactate concentration was high, with the highest value found at “Paleteada II” (14.5mm/L) and the lowest during “Mangueira I” (9.3mm/L) (P<0.05). Superior energy expenditure was noticed in the “And/Fig/VSP” phase (853.28Kcal/kgPV/min). Thus, all functional phases can be classified as anaerobic, as blood lactate concentrations remained above 4mmol/L, with high energy demand of the horses.
Keywords:
crioulo horse; exercise physiology; energetic metabolism