Weather conditions and track characteristics play a crucial role in greyhound race performance and injury rates. Research indicates that faster track conditions are associated with an increased likelihood of injuries, suggesting that adjustments to track maintenance to create slightly slower surfaces may help mitigate risk (Iddon et al., 2014). Temperature and humidity levels also impact race outcomes and physiological stress, with higher ambient temperatures increasing the risk of heat strain, particularly in darker-colored dogs that absorb more heat (McNicholl et al., 2016). Eye temperature, measured via infrared thermography, serves as an indicator of stress and arousal, with elevated post-race temperatures linked to poorer performance, likely due to increased physiological exertion and stress (Starling et al., 2019; Starling et al., 2020; Elias et al., 2021).
Track design is another key determinant of injury risk, with turn radius and banking influencing the forces exerted on greyhounds as they navigate corners, leading to higher injury rates in sharp turns or inadequately banked curves (Sicard et al., 1999). Race distance also affects injury incidence, with longer or more physically demanding distances increasing the likelihood of musculoskeletal strain (Sicard et al., 1999). Additionally, factors such as humidity, coat color, age, and race number have been shown to influence stress levels as measured by eye temperature, suggesting that both environmental and physiological variables must be considered when assessing race conditions (Elias et al., 2021). Understanding these influences can provide valuable insights for trainers, bettors, and race organizers seeking to optimize performance while minimizing health risks.
Temperature and humidity levels also impact race outcomes and physiological stress, with higher ambient temperatures increasing the risk of heat strain, particularly in darker-colored dogs that absorb more heat
Summary of: McNicholl Et al, 2016
Anecdote
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Articles Cited
- “A. Cook (1998): Literature survey of racing greyhound injuries, performance and track conditions, –
- A literature survey was carried out to determine the existing research on the influence of track surface conditions and design on the performance and susceptibility to injury of racing greyhounds.”
- “J. Iddon, R. Lockyer, S. Frean (2014): The effect of season and track condition on injury rate in racing greyhounds., https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.12229
- The study examines environmental and management factors affecting injury rates in racing greyhounds, finding that track surface and track condition (going) affect injury rates, with slower tracks having lower injury rates, while season and temperature do not have a significant effect.”
- “Melissa J Starling, Anthony Spurrett, P. McGreevy (2019): Evaluating the effects of arousal and emotional valence on performance of racing greyhounds, https://doi.org/10.1101/831552
- The summary of this paper is that it investigates the effects of arousal and emotional valence on the performance of racing greyhounds, using infrared thermography to measure eye temperature as an indicator of arousal and behavioral observations to assess frustration, and finding that higher eye temperatures after the race, older age, and certain starting box positions were associated with poorer performance.”
- “Jane McNicholl, G. Howarth, S. Hazel (2016): Influence of the Environment on Body Temperature of Racing Greyhounds, https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2016.00053
- The study aimed to determine if heat strain occurs in racing greyhounds and whether environmental or dog-related factors are associated with the risk of heat strain.”
- “Melissa J Starling, Anthony Spurrett, P. McGreevy (2020): A Pilot Study of Methods for Evaluating the Effects of Arousal and Emotional Valence on Performance of Racing Greyhounds, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10061037
- The paper investigated the effects of arousal and emotional valence on the performance of racing greyhounds, using measures such as eye temperature and behavioral observations at race meets across three different racetracks in New South Wales, Australia.”
- “G. Sicard, K. Short, P. Manley (1999): A survey of injuries at five greyhound racing tracks., https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1748-5827.1999.TB03117.X
- The paper examines the factors that influence the rate of orthopedic injuries in racing greyhounds, including track design, race characteristics, and other factors.”
- “Blythe Ll, Hansen De (1986): Factors affecting prerace dehydration and performance of racing greyhounds., –
- The study examined factors affecting prerace dehydration and performance in racing greyhounds, finding that sex and race number were significant predictors of weight loss, and that greater weight loss was associated with better performance, especially for male dogs in later races.”
- “Belle Elias, Melissa J Starling, B. Wilson, P. McGreevy (2021): Influences on Infrared Thermography of the Canine Eye in Relation to the Stress and Arousal of Racing Greyhounds, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11010103
- Infrared thermography can be used to monitor stress in racing greyhounds, but factors such as eye side, eye location, race number, racetrack, humidity, coat color, age, and performance need to be considered when interpreting the results.”
Insufficient Detail?
At times it is difficult to answer the question as there are not enough relevant published journal articles to relate. It could be that the topic is niche, there’s a significant edge (and researchers prefer not to publish), there is no edge or simply no one has thought to investigate.
