Monitoring training success using a lactate-speed relationship

Monitoring training by measuring blood lactate content is a well-known proc edure in sports physiology. Because of the difficulties in standardizing a test procedure in field studies, this method is fraught with considerable p roblems when applying it to race horses. The aim of the present study was t o develop a test procedure which is able to give evidence about the trainin g state of different race horses after nonidentical test-loads. Under almost identical environmental conditions, the level of blood lactate was determined in five trotters which were kept in training. Immediately a fter the single phases of a three-stage lest procedure (handicap: 'small', 'medium' and 'high' load for the animals chosen at the discretion of the co ach) blood samples were drawn. The lactate value was set in relation to the speed of each animal. A curve of the equation y = y(o) + e((k+bx)) was fit ted with r(2) > 0.93 to these data. With the aid of this equation, the 'com parative speed', (V) over bar, was calculated; this is the arithmetic mean of the velocities V-4, V-8 and V-20, obtained by inserting the appropriate values for (imaginary) lactic acid concentrations in the formula. With the aid of (V) over bar it was possible to detect both an increase and a decrease in physical fitness. In this way, animals tested together on on e date, as well as the development of one animal tested on several dares, c an be scored. Advantages and limitations of the method are discussed in detail.