What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to examine the relationship between cardiac arrhythmias during intense exercise and subsequent race performance in Thoroughbred racehorses.

March 26, 2026Open Access

Cardiac arrhythmias during intense exercise in Thoroughbred racehorses: frequency and association with subsequent race performance

Key Result

Cardiac ectopic beats during intense exertion in Thoroughbred racehorses are common and adversely associated with athletic performance.

Key Points

The aim is to examine the relationship between cardiac arrhythmias during intense exercise and subsequent race performance in Thoroughbred racehorses.
Conducted electrocardiographic monitoring during intense exercise sessions
Assessed the frequency of ectopic beats
Correlated arrhythmia data with race performance metrics
Detected ectopic beats were common in horses during intense exercise
A negative association was found between arrhythmias and race performance
Horses with fewer arrhythmias had better racing outcomes

Structured PICO

Does electrocardiographic monitoring during intense exertion detect clinically important arrhythmias associated with race performance in Thoroughbred racehorses?

Population

Thoroughbred racehorses

Intervention

Electrocardiographic monitoring during intense exertion

Outcome

Frequency of cardiac arrhythmias and association with subsequent race performance

Electrocardiographic monitoring during intense exertion in Thoroughbred racehorses may help detect clinically important arrhythmias that adversely affect athletic performance.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

Ectopic beats are common and adversely associated with athletic performance. Electrocardiographic monitoring during intense exertion might enable detection of clinically important arrhythmias.