Effects of Speed, Heart Rate, Lactate and Uric Acid on the Performance of Arabian Horses during a 120-Km Endurance Race (original) (raw)
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Veterinární Medicína
Uric acid has stronger pro-oxidant than antioxidant properties during equine endurance events and thus, limits performance and has serious repercussions on health. The aim of the study was to investigate the changes in uric acid, leucocytes, plasma biochemical parameters and heart rate in metabolic endurance horses. Thirty Arabian endurance horses were physically examined and blood samples were collected pre and post-race. After physical examination, the successfully completed (n = 10) and metabolic disordered (n = 20) endurance horses were identified. Blood samples in heparinised vacutainer tubes were used for the determination of uric acid, triglyceride, creatine kinase, aspartate transaminase, packed cell volume, lactate, total protein and plasma protein. Blood sample in ethyl diaminotetra-acetic acid vacutainer tubes were used for the analysis of leucocytes. The age, body weight, heart rate, humidity and ambient temperature were also recorded. One way Analysis of variance and pa...
Effects of Race Distance on Physical, Hematological and Biochemical Parameters of Endurance Horses
Problem statement: Endurance horses are generally exposed to severe stress during endurance competitions. These horses are however conditioned to cover the long distances of the competitions at moderate speeds. Approach: This study was conducted in Malaysia to determine the post-race hematological, blood electrolyte and biochemical and physical parameters of horses of 40, 80 and 120 km endurance race categories and eliminated and horses that completed the races with good performance. Whole blood, plasma and serum samples were collected after each race. Results: After physical examination 7 (9.72%) 120 km-, 48 (66.67%) 80 km-and 17 (23.61%) 40 km-race horses were eliminated. Eight horses, all from the 80 km-race category completed the race with good performance. The mean heart of the good performance horses (74.2±13.9 beats min −1 ) was higher than that of the eliminated 40 km-(68.2±14.7 beats min −1 ), 80 km-race (62.9±9.7 beats min −1 ) horses. The blood lactate concentration of good performance horses was 9.2±2.2 mmol L −1 , which was significantly higher than in the 40 km-(6.0±2.9 mmol L −1 ), 80 km-(6.7±3.2 mmol L −1 ) and the 120 km-race (6.4±1.6 mmol L −1 ) horses. The blood glucose concentration was lower in the good performance horses (1.6±0.9 mmol L −1 ) than the eliminated 40 km-(5.7±1.9 mmol L −1 ), 80 km-(4.3±2.4 mmol L −1 ) and the 120 km-race (5.0±1.4 mmol L −1 ) horses. Conclusion: The study showed that eliminated horses exhibited poorer glucose utilization than good performance horses, which may have resulted in poor lactate production. Thus the blood lactate and glucose concentrations of horses during training may be used to predict their performance in endurance races.
Exercise-induced changes of pro-oxidant generating substances and muscle fibre damaging enzymes are the possible causes of reduced performance in endurance horses. Therefore, this study aims to investigate on the performance of different age and gender using biochemical profile of endurance horses during 120 km endurance race. One hundred and eighty four Arabian endurance horses were physically examined and blood samples were collected post-race. After physical examination, the MD (F, n= 44; G, n = 86) and SC (F, n = 20; G, n = 34) were identified. T-test and pairwise correlation were used for the analysis. There were significant differences in CK, uric acid, lactate and age (P<0.0001) respectively between the gender in the MD and SC. There were significant differences in AST (P<0.0029) and GGT (P<0.0039) respectively between the gender in the MD and SC. In conclusion age and gender significantly affect performance of endurance horses in relation to biochemical profile duri...
Equine and Comparative Exercise Physiology, 2004
The objective of this experiment was to compare the physiological changes that occurred in horses competing in the cross-country portion of Training, Preliminary and Intermediate horse trials. The hypothesis was that temperature (T), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and on-site acid–base and electrolyte monitoring would allow differentiation between difficulty levels in horse trials. Sixteen client-owned horses competing at the Trojan-Horse Spring Horse Trials in Cave Creek, Arizona, USA, were studied. T, HR, RR and anaerobic lithium-heparinized jugular venous samples were obtained before, and 1–2 min after, cross-country exercise. Samples were analysed for blood gases (body temperature-corrected) and concentrations of sodium ([Na+]), potassium ([K+]), chloride ([Cl−]), ionized calcium ([Ca2+]i), blood urea nitrogen ([BUN]) and glucose ([GLC]) using a point-of-care analyser. Results were compared using analysis of variance with the level of significance set at P<0.05. In a...
Acta Veterinaria Brno, 2020
The Lithuanian Žemaitukai horse breed is one of the oldest in Europe. Currently, there is a lack of information about the effect of endurance competition on blood indices and acid-base balance in the Žemaitukai horses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of endurance exercise on the acid-base balance and electrolyte indicators of the Žemaitukai horses in an official endurance competition. In total, 48 horses of the Žemaitukai breed competed in endurance competitions over the same distance (60 km). Samples were taken before and immediately after the exercise. The following indicators were analysed: the hydrogen potential (pH), partial carbon dioxide pressure (pCO 2), partial oxygen pressure (pO 2), base excess in blood (BE), base excess in the extracellular fluid [BE (ecf)], cHCO 3 (bicarbonate), cSO 2 (oxygen saturation), tCO 2 (blood total carbon dioxide), haematocrit (HCT), haemoglobin concentration (cHgb), sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), chlorides (Cl), and lactate (Lac). Increase in pH showed adaptation of the horse metabolism to exercise. Blood changes were caused by the development of dehydration and metabolic alkalosis. According to Lac results, all horses were fit and tolerated well physical activity. The exercise did not significantly affect the demand for minerals. Based on the results obtained, it can be stated that horses of the Žemaitukai breed are suitable for endurance competing. Equine metabolism, blood indices, competition The Lithuanian Žemaitukai horse breed is one of the oldest in Europe. During the 19 th-21 st centuries the breed was on the verge of extinction four times. Now it is recognized as an internationally watched breed. The Žemaitukai is a multipurpose pony-type horse breed used for work, driving, tourism, children's pastime, hippotherapy, and sports. Their height at withers ranges from 128 to 142 cm, the chest girth from 154 to 187 cm, the cannon bone girth from 17 to 19 cm, and the weight from 360 to 420 kg (Macijauskienė and Jatkauskienė 2007). Electrolytes play an important role in the capability of a competition horse. Dietary electrolytes, such as chloride, sodium, and potassium are needed for basal processes in the body, including maintaining osmotic pressure, movement of electrical impulses, and muscle contraction (Assenza et al. 2014). During exercise, water and electrolytes are excreted from the body through sweat, resulting in fatigue and muscle weakness (Walker and Collins 2017). Horses may develop exhaustion during prolonged exercise due to loss of water and electrolytes in sweat with hypovolaemia and electrolyte changes (Schott et al. 2006), heat accumulation and intramuscular glycogen depletion. A number of descriptive field studies of endurance competition have been conducted over the last decades (Robert et al. 2010). Endurance horses are subjected to substantial modifications in their internal homeostasis due to prolonged exercise and water and electrolyte loss (Muñoz et al. 2010). Most breeds have been tested and used for endurance races; the most competitive are Arabian or Arabian crosses due to their muscle fibre composition, nevertheless, other breeds, including the Thoroughbred, Quarter Horses, Mustangs, Appaloosas, Morgans, Standardbred,
Metabolic evaluation of Crioulo horses participating in competitions of 750 km
Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira, 2013
The Crioulo breed of horses performs in one of the most physically demanding equestrian competitions, the Marcha de Resistência, which is a contest in which the horses run 750 km in 15 days. The study's aim was to characterize the metabolic responses during this period. We evaluated eleven Crioulo horses in the competition, specifically, two males and nine females. Blood samples were collected 24 hours before the contest and on the 4th, 9th, 11th, 14th and 15th days of competition. We evaluated CK, AST, LDH, glucose, lactate, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, total calcium, ionized calcium, total protein, hematocrit and the white blood cell count. At the end of the competition, the mean values of serum AST were 1151±358 IU/ L the mean LDH values were 7418±1695 IU/L and CK was 13,867±3998UI /L. There was a significant increase in urea, creatinine and lactate (p<0.0001). A decrease in the mean values of chloride, sodium, potassium, and total and ionized ...
Comparative Exercise Physiology, 2019
Objective performance monitoring in eventing horses is rare as the implementation of standardised exercise tests is commonly perceived to interfere with the daily training routine. The validity of performance parameters derived from GPS data, heart rate (HR) and post exercise blood lactate concentration (LAC) measured during usual training sessions should therefore be evaluated. Velocity (V), HR and post exercise LAC recorded during 172 interval training sessions in 30 horses were retrospectively analysed. Linear regression of HR, averaged over retrospectively defined speed ranges, was used to calculate the V at HRs of 150 (V150) and 200 (V200) beats/min. A single exponential regression model, fitted to LAC in relation to HR values from the whole group of horses, was used to predict LAC for each horse’s individual HR value and to calculate the difference between measured and predicted LAC (LACdiff). Recovery HRs were derived from bi-exponential regression of HR decrease after exerci...
Blood lactate concentrations and heart rates of Colombian Paso horses during a field exercise test
Veterinary and Animal Science, 2021
Information on performance indices in Paso horses is scarce. Field exercise tests are necessary to recreate the exertion that occurs during training and competition. To describe blood lactate concentrations and heart rates of untrained Colombian Paso horses (CPHs) in response to a field exercise test. A 30-minutes-long standardized field exercise test was carried out on 11 untrained adult CPHs of both sexes. Blood lactate concentration (BLConc) and heart rate (HR) were measured before, during each step of the test, and at recovery. The BLConc and HR were used to calculate the HR at which a BLConc of 4 mmol/L or anaerobic threshold (HRL 4) was reached. The HR during the field exercise test increased according to the protocol used. The BLConc during the test was variable and, despite having been increasing like the HR, the distribution of the values in each step of the test was remarkably dispersed. The mean blood lactate clearance (BLClear) percentage was 56.3 ± 16, similar in most animals. The HRL 4 was reached at a notably different HR among individuals (132 to 251 bpm). The field exercise test protocol used herein is useful to assess BLConc and HR changes in acute response to exercise in CPHs. It would be useful to evaluate training kinetics with other parameters including cell blood count and muscle enzymes.
Speed associated with plasma pH, oxygen content, total protein and urea in an 80 km race
Equine Veterinary Journal, 2010
To test the hypothesis that endurance performance may be related quantitatively to changes in blood, we measured selected blood variables then determined their reference ranges and associations with speed during an 80 km race. The plan had 46 horses in a 2 x 2 factorial design testing a potassium-free electrolyte mix and a vitamin supplement. Blood samples were collected before the race, at 21, 37, 56 and 80 km, and 20 min after finishing, for assay of haematocrit, plasma pH, pO 2 , pCO 2 , [Na + ], [K + ], [Ca ++ ], [Mg ++ ], [Cl -], lactate, glucose, urea, cortisol, α-tocopherol, ascorbate, creatine kinase, aspartate amino transferase, lipid hydroperoxides, total protein, albumin and creatinine, and erythrocyte glutathione and glutathione peroxidase. Data from 34 finishers were analysed statistically. Reference ranges for resting and running horses were wide and overlapping and, therefore, limiting with respect to evaluation of individual horses. Speed correlations were most repeatable, with variables reflecting blood oxygen transport (enabling exercise), acidity and electrolytes (limiting exercise) and total protein (enabling then, perhaps, limiting). Stepwise regressions also included plasma urea concentration (limiting). The association of speed with less plasma acidity and urea suggests the potential for fat adaptation and protein restriction in endurance horses, as found previously in Arabians performing repeated sprints. Conditioning horses fed fat-fortified and protein-restricted diets may not only improve performance but also avoid grain-associated disorders.
Archives Animal Breeding, 2015
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of training on hematological and biochemical blood indices and acid-base balance as well as to attempt an assessment of the degree of driving horses' training based on examined parameters during the training cycle. The study was conducted on eight Polish Halfbred driving horses (aged 6-12 years). Each four-horse harness included two geldings and two mares. Blood was collected before and directly after training as well as after a 30 min recovery period. Blood samples were analyzed for hematological and biochemical parameters, as well as acid-base balance and glutathione peroxidase activity. The data were processed using a general linear model (ANOVA) procedure in Statistica v10. A significant (P < 0.01) post-exercise increase in heart rate and respiratory rate was noted. Changes (P < 0.01) in red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), glucose (GLU) and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) were observed after exercise. Correctness of the exercises affects the rate of recovery to rest values. The fastest recovery to the values of the rest period was noted in the case of RBC, HGB, LYM (lymphocytes), TCO 2 (total carbon dioxide), HCO − 3 (bicarbonate concentration), GLU and NEFA. Training load did not cause acid-base balance disturbance, with visible compensation during the recovery period (increase in HCO − 3 and extracellular base excess (BE)). Changes in GPx activity were not confirmed statistically; however an increasing tendency was observed after training. Long-term exercises of driving horses cause significant lipomobilization. This study enables an evaluation and comparison of physical preparation to effort and intensity of driving horses' training. In the case of driving horses' training, there is a need to accept lower lactic acid (LA) (< 4 mmol L −1) values in aerobic-anaerobic threshold interpretation.