Hematological changes and athletic performance in horses in response to high altitude (3,800 m).

The study investigates the effects of acclimatizing horses to high-altitude conditions on their blood composition and their performance in athletic activities when they return to low-altitude conditions.

Objective of the Research

• The researchers aimed to understand the changes in blood composition that occur in horses when they are acclimatized to high-altitude conditions. The process is known as hematological changes.
• Additionally, they aimed to determine how this acclimatization affects the performance of the horses in athletic tasks when they return to low-altitude conditions.

Methodology

• The study was conducted on a sample of six horses. The horses were exercised using standardized tests on both a dirt track and a treadmill prior to, during, and after spending time in high-altitude conditions.
• The high-altitude conditions were simulated at 3,800 meters above sea level. Calculations were made at resting state and immediately post-exercise.
• Resting and immediate post-exercise blood samples from the horses were observed and measured for variables such as blood volume, lactate, red cell number, packed cell volume, and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) concentrations. These data collections happened at 225 meters, over a nine-day period at 3,800 meters, and shortly after returning to 225 meters.

Major Findings

• The acclimatization process resulted in significant increases in the total red cell volume. Before exposure to high-altitude conditions, the average was 38.2 +/- 2.4 ml/kg, which increased to 48.1 +/- 2.9 ml/kg after the exposure.
• DPG/hemoglobin concentrations also increased from 19.4 +/- 1.7 micromol/g to 29.4 +/- 0.4 micromol/g upon high-altitude acclimatization.
• The study also found improvements in two key performance variables in the horses. The heart rate recovery post-exercise and lactate recovery were quicker after acclimatization to high-altitude conditions.