title: Development of conditioning programs for dressage horses based on time-motion analysis of competitions.
abstract: The time-motion characteristics of Canadian basic- and medium-level dressage competitions are described, and the results are applied in formulating sport-specific conditioning programs. One competition was analyzed at the six levels from basic 1 to medium 3. Each test was divided into a series of sequences based on the type and speed of activity. The durations of the sequences were measured from videotapes. The basic-level tests had fewer sequences, and they were shorter in distance and duration than the medium tests (P < 0.10), but the average speed did not differ between the two levels. It is recommended that horses competing at the basic levels be conditioned using 5-min exercise periods, with short (10-s) bursts of lengthened trot and canter included at basic 2 and above. In preparation for medium-level competitions, the duration of the work periods increases to 7 min, 10- to 12-s bursts of medium or extended trot and canter are included, and transitions are performed frequently to simulate the energy expenditure in overcoming inertia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Clayton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal; D013177:Sports; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013997:Time Factors; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D014743:Videotape Recording