CHANGES IN FITNESS DURING PROLONGED TRAINING IN STANDARD-BRED HORSES

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 31 weeks prolon ged, intense training on the aerobic fitness of horses by measuring ma ximum oxygen uptake (VO2max). Thirteen Standardbred horses were traine d on a treadmill for 31 weeks. The first 7 weeks consisted of enduranc e training and the other 24 weeks consisted of high intensity training in an increasing exercise program. In the last 15 weeks horses were d ivided into 2 groups, HIT (7 horses) and C (6 horses), with the HIT gr oup receiving greater frequency, intensity, and duration of training t han group C. VO2max continued to increase with training and peak VO2ma x, at 31 weeks of training, was 29% higher than pre-training values. T here was no difference between C and HIT groups. We concluded that VO2 max continued to increase during prolonged, intense training in Standa rdbred horses and that training at greater exercise frequencies and in tensities does not increase VO2max.