Towards a common language

Each different sport has its own set of specific terms, particularly technical terms. But with regard to training programs, a lot of the terms used are common to designate planning and scheduling patterns, the work carried out and the physiological and energetic consequences implied. On the specific aspect of equestrian disciplines, it seems equally important that everyone should agree on the meaning of words commonly used to talk about different aspects of work. Agreeing on this point is a source of better understanding and improvement over the whole range of practices.

For this glossary to be accessible, readable and of use to the greater number, we have divided the words deemed important into four different themes :

• General sports language
• Planning and scheduling
• Physiology and energetics
• Types of session

C

Cognition aspect

Analysis of the group of mental processes linked to the mind, interveneing in the practice of the discipline. These encompasss a multitude of functions orchestrated by the brain, such as langage, memory, reasoning, movement coordination (praxis), recognition (gnosis), perception and learning processes, as well as executive functions including reasonong, scheduling, judgement and organisation.

Competition aim

Main goal for the year or for the half-season

E

"Equilibre de luxe"

André Thomas defines « equilibre de luxe » sports activities as being those involving substantial rotation or forces transmitted by impulsion. In these sports activities, placing one’s gaze so as to stabilize the head and transfer information to the rest of the body (« Posture and human balancing » by Thierry Paillard). General muscle tone is also major factor to limit mass inertia.

Emotional aspect

Analysis of the group of mental phenomenen influencing state of mind, attitude, how the activity and discipline are seen , perception of the environment, thought and behaviour in the interrelated world.  

F

Factors for performance

These factors itemise physical, technical, technico-tactical, mental, social expectations and control of the luck factor…. Which will enable to fix a goal to reach to perform well.

I

Intermediary competitions

Preparatory competitions, of which one might be a selection test in which the horse will be presented at a sufficient technical level, even though peak condition is not yet reached.

Internal logic

It is characteristic of, and specific to an activity seen in general. It studies the different aspects : motricity, cognition, emotional aspect,  relationships...

L

Lifestyle

Group of principles, individual or collective practices aiming to preserve health, to help the organism function normally in everyday life as well as in the practice of any activity or one said to be of top level.

M

Motricity aspect

Analysis of behaviour and organisation of acquisitions and skills enabling the accomplishement of a more or less difficult task when training or in competition in the discipline.

R

Relationships aspect

Analysis of the group of relationships between the people intervening on the practice, during preparation, training and during competitions

S

Self-confidence

The way we feel or the awareness we have of our own worth or competencies, from which we gain self-assurance. Essential factor for performance

Sliding (winter) sports

Used in « sports management » (« generation sliding sports »), this term usually refers to « fun » activities , such as skiing, surfing… in which proprioception is essential for balance. Some authors qualify horse riding as a sliding sport because of the smoothness required particularly in balance and movement outlines.

A

Active recovery

Physical activity of some intensity carried out to recover from an effort, immediately following the session, and the next day. It is in opposition to passive recovery which takes place when  sleeping, or which consists in resting from an effort by refraining from physical activity for a more or less long duration.

Alternating periods/work/rest

This principle consists in alternating within a microcycle and /or a cycle, an intensive work period with a lighter period, both to recover and to improve. These alternating periods serve to transform acquisitions and to prepare the organism for a new session or period of intensive work. Recovery is a performance factor which is often neglected.

C

Complete recovery

Set of processes implemented to enable the rider to recover all of his initial physical capacities. Semi- complete recovery allows to recover a part of one’s capacities and initial reserves before carrying on with one or several new efforts.

Cycles

Establishing a time sequence within a period (a few weeks), whereas a microcycle is a time sequence within a cycle. As a general rule, the rhythm is of 3 intensive cycles for one of «relative rest ».

D

Deferred recovery

Recovery period after a competition or a competition period… Muscular reinforcement / muscle building exercises : practices aimed at improving capacities of strength, resistance and endurance of a muscle or group of muscles by a regular succession of series of adapted exercises. Muscular reinforcement usually only involves one’s own body weight over all types of contraction. Muscle -building usually associates additional external loads (weights, machines…) over the range of muscular contractions.

E

Effort test

Protocol for a horse using several stages in the competition pace (e.g. a gallop for an event horse) enabling to determine the training parameters and to follow the evolution of the horse’s level of preparation through objective elements : for example for the gallops, the average heart rate for each stage, and the intermediary lactate levels. It is generally « below maximum » for a sport horse. Volume of work : Quantity of work usually corresponding to the duration of the exercise during a session.

Energy cost

Amount of energy spent to ensure basic metabolism, maintaining one’s internal body temperature, growth and muscular activity during a training session or a competition.

F

Fine-tuning

Final period in one’s preparation where one attempts to have one’s fitness peak correspond to the « goal » competition.

Frequency of work

Interval of time between the exercises (repetitions) or the high intensity sessions (e.g. a gallop every 5 days).

I

Interval training

A training exercise defined as a session where short bursts of high intensity exercise are associated to more moderate intensity periods, sometimes even rest periods : e.g. a 30 second burst of a fast gallop in the middle of a more moderate gallop. HIIT (high intensity interval training) is becoming the new form of training in a lot of different sports. This type of effort enables to perform very intense sessions, solliciting the cardio-vascular and muscular systems and creating a considerable lack of oxygen, which in turn leads to an oxygen deficit.

M

Microcycle

Sequencing of time within a cycle (usually from a few days to a week). A same microcycle is often repeated within a cycle having the same goal.

O

Over-training

Excessive training which exhausts metabolic reserves and diminishes the initial level of physical form.

P

Period or Macrocycle (sequencing)

Sequencing training and preparation time for the « goal » competition of the season or half-season ; organised succession of different training periods right up to the objective. Four periods are defined : development, pre-competition, competition and regeneration.

Programming

Allows an assessment of the means to implement in order to organise and project oneself towards the future, once achievable objectives for the rider have been defined

Q

Quality

Objectified through judgement, sensation, ease of achievement, conformity to the demands expected.

Quantity (Volume)

Is measured in workout time or in numbers of series of repetitions.

R

Recovery

Complete or partial rest time, enabling recovery during a session between repetitions, series (a gait and time are defined), between each training session, or training period, or following a competition. Recovery is active when carried out at a trot or slow canter.

Repetition

Number of exercises or workout sequences in a series. Relative rest : period of lesser controlled activity allowing to recover from the previous microcycles, and to enhance the work carried out.

Restoration (desaturation)

Recovery time to promote elimination of waste, and therefore re-building reserves and capacities. Series : sucession of several repetitions in a session.

S

Scheduling

Makes the programme operational through organising a schedule of work according to the objectives of the period.

T

Training

Regular and methodic preparation for a physical or intellectual exercise. This is a capacity amplifier leading to a build-up of  know-hows acquired through repeating exercises and experiences within different parameters, which alter performance in the discipline.

Training load

Sum of effort given during a specific training session. The calculation of the training load is based on essential energy source consumption (carbohydrates and protein) during exercise. It gives an indication of the degree of effort during a session, and can be compared from one session to the next.

U

Under-training

Insufficient training which lowers the level of one’s capacities, and diminishes the initial level of physical form.

w

Work intensity

In a gallop session for example, it is defined by speed or heart rate ; these are influenced by the environmental conditions (weather, going, ground undulation…).

Previously used terms

Fractioning

Fraction training, or in intervals or intermittant, is a sports training method where the session is split up into several work sequences, repetitions or cycles of exercises, alternating with a rest period.

Fartlek

Sports training exercise which consists in alternating phases of fast running and slower running depending on the terrain during an aerobic capacity training session.

Continuous interval training

Training method where the session consists in an uninterrupted gallop but with speed and /or gait variations for precise lengths of time.

Long interval / short interval

Training exercises featured in training sessions where exercise periods are split into intense intevals, then moderate intervals over varying lengths of time.

Triangular test

Effort test consisting in several repetitions of a gallop at a defined pace, interspersed with short periods of recovery at a defined pace and duration.

Rectangular test

Effort test consisting in galloping continuously at a fixed pace and constant intensity for a fixed time (usually 6 to 8 minutes for the event horse).

A

Anaerobic threshold

Effort intensity where aerobic metabolism is no longer sufficient to cover the needs in ATP for muscle activity. It can allow exercise to be prolonged as long as the production and consumption of lactates remain balanced (between 6 to 8 minutes). Generally this anaerobic threshold is defined as being at 85-90 % of maximal aerobic speed (MAS). The lactatemia value (around 4mmol/l) usually corresponds to this threshold and can differ depending on individuals. It is influenced by genetic factors, and by the subject’s training level. At this threshold, part of the necessary energy begins to be produced by the lactic anaerobic metabolism, and lactate begins to accumulate in the muscles, leading to acidosis. The anaerobic threshold can be increased thanks to sports training to enable the athlete to supply greater muscular effort (at higher speed for example) without accumulating more lactates. The anaerobic threshold can also be increased by improving the MAS of the athlete thanks to interval training.

ATP (Adenosine triphosphate)

Substance used by the organism to provide energy. Essential element for muscle contraction, it is in fact a « reservoir » of cellular energy, where the cell finds the necessary energy to carry out its many activities.

C

Cardio/speed workout session

Session dedicated to developing stregth capcity, oriented towards improving speed (power) of execution for a muscle or muscle group. The exercises will be either anaerobic alactic or lactic depending on the period.

Concentric

Solliciting a muscle with a convergence of the insertions. The muscle shortens during an active phase of traction or pushing. The force developed is higher than the opposing resistance.

E

Endurance

Ability to maintain effort of a certain intensity over a certain time lapse.

Energetics

Relative to the body’s energy. Can be related to production (e.g.  ATP) or to yield (systems or processes)

Energy cost

Amount of energy used by the horse to ensure its basic metabolism, to maintain body temperature and muscular activity during training or a precise exercise.

Energy system

Energy production process necessary for the muscle during different intensity and over different periods. The organism uses three different systems : anaerobic alactic, anaerobic lactic and aerobic.

Excentric

Solliciting muscles with a divergence of insertions. The muscle lengthens during a resistance or braking phase. The force developed is lower than the opposing resistance.

F

Fatigue

Physiological state following a prolonged effort, intense physical or intellectual work, demonstrated by difficulties in continuing the said effort or work. This physical weakening is due to the increase in the production of lactates and their high concentration, to the lowering of muscle pH, and thus to the inhibition of metabolic channels, the drop in substrates in resources, and in particular of glycogen.

H

Hypoxia (training)

Decrease in the quantity of oxygen which the blood provides to the body tissue. Hypoxic training enables to increase physiological stress during a session to increase the adaptive responses of the organism, so as to increase the performance level on the day of the competition. It also helps to better manage and synchronize breathing muscles. ( Example of French team horses spending time at Font Romeu for the Mexico Olympic Games).

HRV (Heart rate variability)

Now made accessible thanks to cardiofrequencymeters, heart rate variability is the variation of the time interval between each heart beat. Used in sports training, analysing this factor can help assess fatigue and avoid over-training.

I

Intrinsic speed

The inherent speed of a horse or a man. This speed can be used as the basis for programming the horse’s gallops

Isometric

Or isotonic, solliciting the muscles without altering their length during contraction phase the force developed equals the opposing resistance.

K

The Krebs cycle

This refers to a genuine « energy factory » of the cell – discovered in 1937 by Hans Krebs -, this succession of chemical reactions makes energy by the breakdown of pyruvate (acetyl coenzyme A (AcOA), various molecules, CO2 substrates, followed by lipids and proteins.

L

Lactate/ pyruvate/ lactic acid

Resulting from the production of energy from the lactic system in the mitochondria is pyruvate, which either remains as such or transforms into lactate (not lactic acid). Lactic acid (C3H6O3 = lactate + 1 proton H+) can be considered as a tissue acidifier, with a pH of less than 4, which if concentrated in the blood or muscle tissue, would be lethal in Man. Lactates do not create acidity but go with it. Lactates are recycled in the liver to become glucose to produce energy quickly, or are eliminated in urine.

Lactatemia

Measuerement of lactate concentration in the blood. It is an indirect indicator of the local production on the muscle fiber when the muscle is sollicited at sufficient intensity to mobilise the lactic anaerobic metabolism. Measured at less than 0,5mmol/l at rest, it can reach 30mmol/l at maximum effort. Through misuse of langage, it is termed « measure of lactate », where it is in fact estimating lactatemia, indirect indicator of concentration of lactate in the muscle.

Lactic acidosis

As such it is a serious complication linked to diabetes, corresponding to excessive accumulation of lactic acid in the blood, and which can prove fatal. For a sports person acidosis occurs when the organism no longer supplies enough oxygen during intense effort and the lactate concentration becomes too great, particularly when its production is higher than the consumption and elimination capacities.

M

MAS (maximal aerobic speed)

Intensity where maximum oxygen consumption is reached

Maximum aerobic power

Power reached at maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max)

Maximum heart rate (MRH or HRmax)

A sport horse’s maximum heart rate is observed at 240 beats/minute (bpm). At rest it is around 30 bpm.

Muscle fiber : of 4 types I, IIa, Iib, and IIc ; type I fibers otherwise called slow twitch fibers, are sollicited first, then the fast twitch fibers are recruited as the exercise becomes more intense. Fast twitch fibers rely on anaerobic alactic and lactic processes, phosphocreatin and glycogen substrates to resynthesize ATP ; they fatigue more easily, since they use anaerobic processes the lactate concentration is higher. A horse has a high percentage of fast fibers (up to 92 % type II fibers in a thoroughbred horse).

Metabolic

Group of chemical reactions in a living being enabling him to maintain a physical activity, to develop and to repond to to the stimuli of the environment.

Mitochondria

Small elements in the muscle fiber where energy is produced.

Motor units (MU)

Group formed by a motorneuron and the associated muscle fibers. All the muscle fibers are innervated by the axons of the motor nerves. Each motor nerve or motorneuron innervates several muscle fibers. However a muscle fiber is innervated by a single motorneuron.

O

Oxygen deficit and debt

During intense effort, oxygen supply becomes insufficient to produce energy due to inertia of the anaeobic process (1 to 3 minutes in a horse). This oxygen deficit leads to an oxygen debt which will be compensated for during recovery phases.

P

Phosphocreatine

Molecule which is rich in energy, used in the muscles to regenerate ATP within the 2 to 7 seconds following a very intense effort.

Physiological capacities

The capacity of each of the different mechanisms involved in the horse’s vital functions. Metabolic capacities (metabolisms sollicited during effort, energetic (reserves in fats and glycogens), cardiovacular (heart and oxygen transfer capcities) and pulmonary (ventilation capacities).

Plyometrics

Using the elasticity of muscles, and the myotatic reflex to improve musclar power during a brief, rapid effort. It is solliciting a rapid sucession of eccentric, then concentric muscular contractions, like for example in bounce jumps.

Pre-fatigue

Consists in fatiguing muscle group or body before even performing a dressage, jumping, cross-country, or muscular reinfocement exercise. Calibrating the workout session should be precise.

R

Resistance

Capacity to resist the constraints of an effort at a certain intensity

S

Suppleness

Ability to perform ample movements with ease. The rider should possess both « suppleness and muscle tone » to enable reactive elasticity of the supporting muscles, so that inertia of the body masses is not amplified during the horse’s locomotion.

V

V4

Theoretical speed on the flat and on a track at anaerobic threshold

V200

Theoretical speed on the flat and on a track where the heart rate reaches 200 bpm

VO2max

Maximum oxygen consumption, this represents the maximal sollicitation for the aerobic metabolism.

Previously used terms

Endurance/ resistance

To qualify a type of effort the terms endurance/ resistance are no longer used, they have been replaced by terms which bring in the physiological and metabolic characteristics : we now speak about aerobic and anaerobic systems in terms of « capacity » or « power ».

A

Aerobic capacity session type

Long gallop session seeking to maintain the intensity of the pace (either through speed or slopes) so that final lactatemia is between 4 and 6 mmol/l. This type of session can be either continuous or in sequences.

Aerobic strength session type

Fast gallop session seeking to increase the intensity of a pace (either through speed, slopes, or deep going, providing that the frequency of the strides remains high). Final lactatemia will be between 8 and 12mmol/l.

C

Continuous training

Uninterrupted gallop session at almost constant intensity without recovery phases.

Core strength building

Reinforcement session which consists in strengthening supporting and posture muscles (deep muscles, such as paravertebral muscles).

D

Dissociation of body segments

Capacity for autonomous movement of one part of the body related to another, or to the rest of the body. It is a part of psychomotor development, and is different from one individual to another. It is usually based on good coordination, and therefore on knowledge and mastery of one’s own body. In riding, its consequence is independance of the aids.

F

Fundamental work

Group of means enabling to improve the horse’s cardio-respiratory, metabolic and energy capacities, so as to best adapt and prepare them for the sollicitations of training and the efforts of the discipline.

G

GPP

General physical preparation

I

In hand gallop

Sustained gallop carried out during training or as warm up just before a race. For the sports horse, this term is used to refer to a gallop of lower intensity.

L

Lactic session

High intensity session and (or) incomplete recovery leading to a high lactate concentration.

Low intensity/ high intensity sessions

Differentiates between exercises or sessions where the sollicitations are close to those observed in competitions (in competition periods for example), or much lower intensity sessions (during development periods for example).

M

Mechanisation sesison

Session where a movement or succession of movements is repeated without trying for maximum intensity.

Mental speed

Speed at which information is processed by the rider and / or the horse, corresponds to the speed at which cognitive processes are accomplished. Essential component of equestrian training to improve decision making, action or reaction times.  It is linked to the capacity to concentrate and the time required to analyse the environment or a situation. This capacity can be developed through memorising during training the different adapted responses obtained by implementing different situations.

Mixed session

Session where several different work registers are implemented, or where capacities required for different tests are drawn on in succession.

Muscle reinforcement session

Session where either the intensity or the number of repetitions will require sufficient effort from the horse to build up muscle strength.

O

Over-compensation

Physiological effect out of sync from training, which enables to restore energy sources, spent at a higher level than at the start of the exercise.

P

PTP

Physical and technical preparation

R

Regenerating canter (desaturation canter)

Slow gallop session, usually continuous, where final lactatemia does not go above 3mmol/l.

Routine

Getting the horse and/or rider used to performing a certain gesture or a succession of gestures through regular repetition, so as to memorize the variables and technical components of the performance.

S

Sequence

Technical synthesis where the horse is asked to perform all or part of the sequence of movements from a dressage test, or all the obstacles of a show-jumping or cross country course.

Sequenced training (interval training or fraction training)

Series of several repetitions at a gallop, interspersed with recovery phases which can be at a slower galllop or canter or on lighter ground or at an active trot or walk. The trainer will vary the number and intensity of the series as well as the type and intensity of the recovery phases to keep to his objective. The sequences are said to be short when the repetitions are between 1 to 1 and a half minutes, and long between 3 to 7 minutes.

Speed burst

Brief acceleration requested at a racing pace.

SPP

Specific physical preparation

Stretching

Session where the intensity of the pace, and the horse’s attitude promote stretching his top line.

T

Technical objectives

Formalization within a training programme of the technical points to be reinforced and the  solutions contemplated to reach one’s objectives in terms of performance in the discipine.

Technique session

Session dedicated to the discovery of a movement or an approach technique, where learning processes are promoted.

TPR

Technical preparation and relative rest

W

Warm up

Presentation judged and marked by a trainer or judge, in similar conditions to those of a competition.

Work load

Estimating the quantity of work the horse has done during a training session. This idea integrates metabolic and energy sollicitation, as well as that of the locomotor and psychological systems. The sum of this work during a microcycle or cycle is referred to as the work load.

Previously used terms

Getting fit

Programmed action consisting in using a combination of several factors to reach a sufficient level of physical, technical, tactical, strategic, and mental qualities to atttain the performance required in a given activity.

Building-up wind

Common expression referring to working on the cardio-respiratory system.  Second wind : abstract term referring to the impression of relief and getting back to a normal breathing pattern which one experiences during intense physical activity. This sensation is in fact solely related to a physiological effect corresponding to a metabolic and energy readjustment to long lasting effort (time required for the energy systems to begin functioning). It can occur following starting off the session at an excessively high pace, or simply be due to under-training with regard to the effort demanded. It should not be mistaken for the « euphoria » felt crossing the finish line, this can occur when the effort went well, and could lead to possible performance.