Horse Racing as a Model to Study the Relationship between Air Pollutants and Physical Performance
This study proposes the theoretical principles for the selection of a sample of horse races to study the relationship between air pollutants and performance. These criteria were then applied to an original dataset comparing the correlations between these variables obtained in “Handicap” versus “Cond...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-04-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/9/1139 |
| _version_ | 1797505849212534784 |
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| author | Oscar F. Araneda |
| author_facet | Oscar F. Araneda |
| author_sort | Oscar F. Araneda |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study proposes the theoretical principles for the selection of a sample of horse races to study the relationship between air pollutants and performance. These criteria were then applied to an original dataset comparing the correlations between these variables obtained in “Handicap” versus “Conditional” type races. Methods: The mean concentration of pollutants during the six hours prior to the race and the speed of the test were determined in 441 official races at a racecourse in Santiago, Chile, during the summer and winter months of 2012. Using layout, track condition and distance (1000, 1100 and 1200 m) as criteria, a homogeneous group of races (“Handicap”; n = 214) versus a heterogeneous group (“Conditional”; n = 95) were compared using simple correlations (Spearman’s test). Results: Race speed was related to greater levels of PM<sub>10</sub>, PM<sub>2.5</sub>, NO<sub>2</sub>, NO and SO<sub>2</sub> and it was positively related to O<sub>3</sub>, a trend that was observed in the 1000, 1100 m races and in the total “Handicap” group. Similar results were observed only in 1000 m for the “Conditional” group with lower Rho, except for PM<sub>10</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub>. The total races of the conditional group showed lower Rho values and significant associations of the same trend for CO, NO<sub>2</sub>, NO and SO<sub>2</sub>. Conclusions: Horse races between 1000 and 1200 m of the “Handicap” type appear to be an interesting group to study the relationship between air pollutants and the performance of racehorses. In the future, our observations should be expanded to other distances and other types of races. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T04:24:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c04f40112ed74852958a9ad3daabf8f5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T04:24:12Z |
| publishDate | 2022-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-c04f40112ed74852958a9ad3daabf8f52023-11-23T07:42:55ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152022-04-01129113910.3390/ani12091139Horse Racing as a Model to Study the Relationship between Air Pollutants and Physical PerformanceOscar F. Araneda0Integrative Laboratory of Biomechanics and Physiology of Effort, LIBFE, School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago 8320000, ChileThis study proposes the theoretical principles for the selection of a sample of horse races to study the relationship between air pollutants and performance. These criteria were then applied to an original dataset comparing the correlations between these variables obtained in “Handicap” versus “Conditional” type races. Methods: The mean concentration of pollutants during the six hours prior to the race and the speed of the test were determined in 441 official races at a racecourse in Santiago, Chile, during the summer and winter months of 2012. Using layout, track condition and distance (1000, 1100 and 1200 m) as criteria, a homogeneous group of races (“Handicap”; n = 214) versus a heterogeneous group (“Conditional”; n = 95) were compared using simple correlations (Spearman’s test). Results: Race speed was related to greater levels of PM<sub>10</sub>, PM<sub>2.5</sub>, NO<sub>2</sub>, NO and SO<sub>2</sub> and it was positively related to O<sub>3</sub>, a trend that was observed in the 1000, 1100 m races and in the total “Handicap” group. Similar results were observed only in 1000 m for the “Conditional” group with lower Rho, except for PM<sub>10</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub>. The total races of the conditional group showed lower Rho values and significant associations of the same trend for CO, NO<sub>2</sub>, NO and SO<sub>2</sub>. Conclusions: Horse races between 1000 and 1200 m of the “Handicap” type appear to be an interesting group to study the relationship between air pollutants and the performance of racehorses. In the future, our observations should be expanded to other distances and other types of races.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/9/1139exerciseair pollutionperformancethoroughbred racehorses |
| spellingShingle | Oscar F. Araneda Horse Racing as a Model to Study the Relationship between Air Pollutants and Physical Performance Animals exercise air pollution performance thoroughbred racehorses |
| title | Horse Racing as a Model to Study the Relationship between Air Pollutants and Physical Performance |
| title_full | Horse Racing as a Model to Study the Relationship between Air Pollutants and Physical Performance |
| title_fullStr | Horse Racing as a Model to Study the Relationship between Air Pollutants and Physical Performance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Horse Racing as a Model to Study the Relationship between Air Pollutants and Physical Performance |
| title_short | Horse Racing as a Model to Study the Relationship between Air Pollutants and Physical Performance |
| title_sort | horse racing as a model to study the relationship between air pollutants and physical performance |
| topic | exercise air pollution performance thoroughbred racehorses |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/9/1139 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT oscarfaraneda horseracingasamodeltostudytherelationshipbetweenairpollutantsandphysicalperformance |