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Re: overweight an issue? - Weight vs. lean mass



> Nope. Unfortunately in the real world, controlling variables, or even
> measuring and recording them, is difficult. Did you weigh the riders? Did
you
> weigh the horses? did you track their speeds and heartrates? Did you get
> pre-ride background data? There are many variables that could confound
your
> observations. I'm not saying your observations aren't useful, Susan, but
you
> have to be careful about extrapolations of limited data.
>
> I think you will find, in a reasonably controlled study, that as rider
body
> weight rises in relation to horse body weight, there is increased
metabolic
> and biomechanical demand. And, of course, when this extra demand exceeds
> capability, then you will have a shutdown.


Sorry, Tom, we covered all that in our analysis.  You're a bright guy, but
you need to read up on analytical design---you get around all those
variables by having huge numbers, and we did, over 600 horses measured.
Yes, we measured rider weights, horse weights, cannon bone circumference and
a ton of other things.  We tracked average speed by the times they came into
vet checks (we made the assumption that nobody waited around at Robie until
9 am and then sprinted flat out to RF).  No, we didn't measure individual
heart rates, because SO WHAT?  As long as recoveries are equivalent, and did
not contribute to metabolic failure, it doesn't matter.  All that matters is
who got to the finish line in good shape.  And the numbers, over a 100-mile
trail, are good.

AND----I never said that increased rider weight doesn't create an increased
metabolic/energetic and biomechanical demand.  The study already says that,
very clearly---the heavier load of combined horse plus rider uses more
energy and had a higher incidence of lameness, which is much more
spohisticated than simply looking at rider weight alone.  What I'm saying is
that over this particular 100-mile course, you cannot say a lwt rider
necessarily has an advantage over the hwt rider, at least not without taking
into account the condition score and body weight of the horse carrying him.

So, Tom---you're always challenging us to think of innovation and get out of
the ivory towers and into the field.  This data says you need to start
thinking about weight differently, that it's not a simple issue.  Welcome to
a brave new world of thought, chief. :-)


Susan G



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