TIME-MOTION ANALYSIS IN THE SPORT OF DRESSAGE

Time-motion analysis was applied in an analysis of the Federation Eque stre-Internationale (FEI) dressage tests. Each test was divided into a series of sequences; the distance of each sequence was measured, and the duration and average speed were determined from videotapes of five competitive performances. In general, as the level of difficulty incr eased, there was an increase in the duration of the tests and a reduct ion in average speed as the horse spent more time performing highly co llected movements, such as the piaffe, passage and pirouettes. The med ium and extended trot and canter involved short bursts of 10-15 second s duration. Transitions were performed frequently, so considerable ene rgy was expended in overcoming inertia. It is recommended that dressag e horses competing at the FEI levels be conditioned using 7-9 minute p eriods of exercise that incorporate frequent transitions and short (10 -15 second) bursts of extended trot and canter.