Changes in Thoroughbred speed and stride characteristics over successive race starts and their association with musculoskeletal injury

Abstract

Background: Certain stride characteristics have been shown to affect changes in biomechanical factors that are associated with injuries in human athletes. Determining the relationship between stride characteristics and musculoskeletal injury (MSI) may be key in limiting injury occurrence in the racehorse.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether changes in race day speed and stride characteristics over career race starts are associated with an increased risk of MSI in racehorses.

Study design: Case-control study.

Methods: Speed, stride length, and stride frequency data were obtained from the final 200 m sectional of n = 5660 race starts by n = 584 horses (case n = 146, control n = 438). Multivariable joint models, combining longitudinal and survival (time to injury) analysis, were generated. Hazard ratios and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) are presented.

Results: The risk of MSI increased by 1.18 (95% CI 1.09, 1.28; P < 0.001) for each 0.1 m/s decrease in speed and by 1.11 (95% CI 1.02, 1.21; P = 0.01) for each 10 cm decrease in stride length over time (career race starts). A more marked rate of decline in speed and stride length was observed approximately 6 races prior to injury. Risk of MSI was highest early in the horse's racing career.

Main limitations: Only final sectional stride characteristics were assessed in the model. The model did not account for time between race starts.

Conclusions: Decreasing speed and stride length over multiple races is associated with MSI in racehorses. Monitoring stride characteristics over time may be beneficial for the early detection of MSI.

Keywords: GPS (global positioning system); horse; joint model; musculoskeletal injury; speed; stride length.