Effects of Warm-Up On Performance

From Equine Disease Quarterly, a publication funded by Underwriters At Lloyd’s of London, Brokers, And Their Kentucky Agents

Warm-up exercise enhances blood flow to the active muscles and increases muscle temperature.

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From Equine Disease Quarterly, a publication funded by Underwriters At Lloyd’s of London, Brokers, And Their Kentucky Agents


Warm-up exercise enhances blood flow to the active muscles and increases muscle temperature. Benefits include better oxygen delivery to exercising muscles, improved enzyme function, and increased range of motion. Until recently, little research on the benefits of warming up for equine athletes had been conducted. In the last five years, studies have shown that warm-up can be beneficial and is related to the type of activity the horse will perform.


Studies have compared exercise responses of horses when they received a mild/moderate warm-up or no warm-up at all.   In a study conducted in Australia (Tyler et al, 1996; Equine Vet J. 28:117) 10 minutes of warm-up (walking and trotting) decreased the oxygen deficit accumulated during a high-intensity sprint to fatigue, compared to no warm-up.


A study conducted by researchers at Ohio State University (McCutcheon et al, 1999; J Appl. Physiol. 87:1914) found that warm-up reduced the oxygen deficit and the accumulation of lactate during high-intensity exercise.  These results suggest that a  warm-up performed shortly before high-intensity exercise, such as racing, will enhance oxygen delivery to exercising muscles

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