Changes in blood gas, acid-base and metabolic parameters in horses during three-day event competition

Summary Haematological and biochemical changes in horses competing in the Endurance Test (Phase T and D) of an advanced Horse Trial (HT, n=22) and the Endurance Test (Phases A‐D) of an advanced (CCI***) 3‐day‐event (TD, n=11) over a similar course on the same day were studied. Environmental conditions during the event were cool (5.5–11.1°C). Blood samples were collected from the horses in each group the evening prior to the Endurance Test, within 60 s after, and 10 min after, completion of Phase D (cross‐country jumping). The following were determined in the blood samples and compared between the 2 groups of horses: packed cell volume (PCV), serum total protein [TP], serum albumin [ALB], plasma lactate [lactate], serum total calcium [TCa], plasma ionised calcium [Ca++], serum inorganic phosphate [PO4], plasma pH, plasma sodium [Na], plasma potassium [K], serum chloride [Cl], serum urea nitrogen [SUN], serum creatinine [Cr] and serum glucose concentrations and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine kinase (CK) activities. The PCV and [Cr] were higher in the TD group and approached significance (P=0.063 and P=0.057, respectively). The [TP], [ALB], [Na], glucose concentration and CK, and AST were significantly higher and [Cl] and [PO4] were significantly lower in the TD group after exercise when compared to the HT group. It was deduced from these data that the horses competing in the 3‐day‐event experienced greater fluid and electrolyte losses, reduced glomerular filtration, higher glycogenolysis and had greater leakage of enzymes from working muscles during competition than horses competing in the horse trial.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

Haematological and biochemical changes in horses competing in a 3 Star horse trial and 3‐day‐event

Andrews

Geiser

White

et al. 1995

“…Differences in post exercise lactate concentrations could be due to differences in sample collection and analysis, course difficulty and/or the level of competition or a difference in individual horses. Rose et al (1980) measured whole blood lactates, whereas this study and Amory er al. (1993) measured plasma lactate concentrations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 76%

“…Field studies measuring these parameters have been performed in a variety of equine sports (Asheim et al 1970;Craig et al 1985;Bayly et al 1987;Webb et al 1988;Gottlieb et al 1989; Art e f al. 1990; Snow 1990, Lekeux et al 1991) but few studies have been performed on the combined training event horse (Rose et al 1980;Amory et al 1993;White et al 1995).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heart rate response and plasma lactate concentrations of horses competing in the speed and endurance phase of 3‐day combined training events

White

Williamson

Maykuth

et al. 1995

Summary The exercise intensity of horses competing in 3‐day combined training events at 3 different levels of competition (CCI***, n=7; CCI**, n=11; CCI*, n=23) was investigated. Environmental conditions during all events were cool with 100% cloud cover. Heart rates were continuously recorded at 5 s intervals by a heart rate monitor. Mean ± s.d. heart rate for all horses during each phase were: Phase A=118 ± 11 beats/min, Phase B=179 ± 22.7 beats/min, Phase C=129 ± 13.9 beats/min and Phase D=174 ± 19.6 beats/min. Mean ± s.d. heart rates on Phases A and C were significantly different from mean heart rates on Phases B and D. Plasma lactate concentrations were determined at rest, within 60 s and 10 min after the end of Phase D or the cross country test. Mean ± s.d. lactate concentrations were highest immediately post exercise (mean=18.4 ± 5 mmol/1 for all horses) and had declined significantly in 10 min (mean=15 ± 6.8 mmol/1 for all horses). Mean ± s.d. heart rates and lactate concentrations were not significantly different among levels of competition at each time period. The intensity of work of fit horses successfully competing in 3‐day combined training events consists of both low intensity aerobic exercise and more intense submaximal work with significant anaerobiosis. The work intensity is remarkably constant throughout different levels of competition, despite the increasing distance, number and difficulty of jumping efforts and faster optimum speeds.

“…Acid‐base and electrolyte disorders have been described in horses associated with prolonged exercise and competitive endurance races (Rose et al . 1980; Rose and Sampson 1982; Snow et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acid‐base imbalances during a 120 km endurance race compared by traditional and simplified strong ion difference methods

Viu

Jose‐Cunilleras

Armengou

et al. 2010

SummaryReasons for performing study: Acid-base disturbances are traditionally assessed using the Henderson-Hasselbach equation. The simplified strong ion approach describes more accurately the complex acid-base and electrolyte abnormalities present in endurance horses. Objective: To describe acid-base and electrolytes changes in fit horses competing in a FEI*** 120 km endurance race and to compare the traditional vs. strong ion approaches. Methods: Thirty horses were initially enrolled in the study.Venous blood samples were obtained before the race (n = 25), at the second (n = 29; 65.4 km) and third vet-gates (n = 23, 97.4 km) and upon race completion (n = 17). Blood gas analysis was performed to determine pH, PCO2, PO2, Na Using the strong ion approach, 67% samples showed acid-base disturbances vs. 70% when using the traditional method, but their interpretations only matched in 24% of measurements. Conclusions: A complex acid-base imbalance characterised by a mild strong ion alkalosis (hypochloraemia attenuated by hyperlactataemia), nonvolatile buffer acidosis and compensatory mild respiratory acidosis were present in most horses, although pH did not significantly change during a 120 km endurance race. The strong ion approach to interpretation of acid-base balance should be favoured over the traditional approach in endurance horses, given the frequent and complex alterations in PCO2, SIDm and Atot during a race.