Nutrient intake during an elite level three‐day event competition is correlated to inflammatory markers and antioxidant status

Abstract

SummaryReasons for performing study: Dietary intake and feeding management practices could affect the degree of physiological stress and subsequent performance of high level 3-day event horses. Objectives: To assess whether a relationship exists between dietary intake levels of selected nutrients and the inflammatory and antioxidant status in horses competing in a high level 3-day event. Materials and methods: Riders competing in a CCI2*/CCI3* 3-day event (n = 35) answered a nutritional management survey conducted by the investigators at the competition. Actual and recommended intakes of vitamin E, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) were calculated using the manufacturer or NRC values. Blood samples, bodyweight and body condition score of horses were taken precompetition, 30 min and 18-24 h after crosscountry, but before stadium jumping. Data were analysed using a mixed model ANOVA with repeated measures and Pearson's product moment correlation. Results: Estimated daily intakes of vitamin E, K, Ca, P and Mg for horses were higher than daily recommended levels (P<0.05). In response to competition, tumour necrosis factor-a (TNFa; P = 0.0002), nitric oxide (NO; P = 0.013) and b-carotene (BC; P<0.0001) decreased, creatine kinase (P<0.0001) and aspartate aminotransferase (P = 0.001) increased, and a-tocopherol and retinol did not change. Intake of vitamin E, K, Ca, P and bodyweight were negatively correlated with TNFa (P<0.05). Vitamin E and bodyweight were also negatively correlated with NO (P<0.05). Pasture intake and BC were positively correlated (P<0.0001). Conclusions: The decline in systemic inflammatory markers is probably due to increased utilisation or excretion and decreased production related to the increased oxidative stress experienced by horses during competition. High bodyweights could also predispose horses to a higher level of inflammation during 3-day event competition.

Feeding Practices and Nutrient Intakes Among Elite Show Jumpers

“…Calcium intake of these horses was well above the NRC requirements, a finding also reported by Williams and Burk [17] in event horses. P intake was low, with 22 of 34 horses consuming less phosphorus than their NRC requirement.…”

Antioxidant Status in Elite Three-Day Event Horses during Competition

“…To our knowledge, this is the first paper to reveal the antioxidant levels of horses competing in upper level divisions of a three-day event. A companion study studying inflammatory parameters and diet on a similar population of competitive horses was recently published [9]. Overall, our findings suggest that the cross-country jumping phase of a three-day event was a rigorous acute exercise bout that challenged the antioxidant systems of the horse, with more of a challenge being placed on the CCI3* horses.…”

Antioxidant supplementation to the exercising horse

“…Overall these results provided the first report of antioxidant status of horses competing in either a CCI** and CCI*** 3-day event (Williams & Burk, 2007). Pre-event nutritional surveys were also undertaken to determine the intake level of antioxidants and other nutrients that would affect the level of stress during competition (Williams & Burk, 2010). Actual intake of vitamin E was higher than recommended intakes (1587 ± 230 vs. 1065 ± 16 IU/d).…”