Ergogenic aids to performance in the race horse: nutrients or drugs.

This study provides an overview of different dietary supplements given to race horses to improve their performance, questioning whether certain substances should be considered as banned due to their possible effect of enhancing performance beyond natural capabilities.

Background

• The research sheds light on the transformation of racehorse diets over the centuries, from grazing to supplemental feeding with grains and other types of nutrients.
• The study suggests that many of these dietary additions are in fact ergogenic aids – substances used to enhance physical performance and are usually restricted in sports.
• It is widely accepted that these supplemental substances include vitamins and amino acids, and are usually over the advised quantity.

Focus of the Study

• The paper mainly scrutinizes the use of large doses of sodium bicarbonate and similar compounds that enhance the body’s buffering capacity – the ability to neutralize acids.
• Such substances have gained popularity for their potential benefit in improving racehorse performance, leading to the introduction of relevant regulations and detection methods.

Objective

• The study critically discusses the use and regulation of these specific dietary additions and whether it is logical to strictly regulate alkalinizing agents alone while allowing excessive supplementation with other components such as fats.
• It aims to bring attention to the blurry line between nutrient supplements and ergogenic aids, potentially opening up a broader discussion on the ethics of supplementation in horse racing.