Effect of maltodextrin supplementation on blood glucose, lactate, insulin, and cortisol levels of horses subjected to submaximal incremental exercise test

Abstract

Riders and trainers believe that oral maltodextrin (MD) supplementation prior to exercise increases blood glucose availability and delay the onset of fatigue in horses, although there is no evidence supporting this claim. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effect of MD supplementation on blood glucose, L-lactate, insulin, cortisol levels, and heart rate in horses subjected to an incremental exercise test. A randomized placebocontrolled crossover trial was designed to test the effect of three doses of MD (50, 100 and 200 g) on blood glucose, L-lactate, insulin, cortisol levels, and heart rate of four Purebred Lusitanian geldings. A seven-step incremental field exercise test was used; the initial speed was set at 2.