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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2023; 13(4); 670; doi: 10.3390/ani13040670

Hydroelectrolytic and Acid-Base Parameters after 80 to 115 km Endurance Races (Raid Uruguayo) and Their Association with the Comfort Index.

Abstract: The Raid Uruguayo (RAID) is an equestrian endurance competition. This study characterized the hydroelectrolytic parameters (Na, K, Cl, tCa, and iCa), hematocrit (Ht), total plasma protein (TPP), and blood pH from 900 equine athletes (finishers and non-finishers) competing over distances of 80 to 115 km under different climate conditions. Paired blood samples were taken prior to the start of the competition (sample 1) and at the end of the race or at the time of leaving the competition (sample 2). The association of the comfort index (CI: low, moderate, and high) with blood parameters was evaluated. Of the 900 horses included, 550 were not able to finish the trial. The comfort index was not associated with success in completing the race. In the horses that finished the race, the CI was not associated with Ht, pH, TPP, or Na concentrations in samples taken after finishing the RAID. In contrast, the decreases in chloride, K, tCa, and iCa concentrations found after the race were more pronounced at moderate and high CI values when compared with low CI values. In horses that did not finish the race, the CI was associated with all variables except for Ht. The data confirmed the relevance of considering the impact of the comfort index in hydroelectrolytic losses in the RAID, as it influence ssuccess or failure in the performance of endurance horses finishing the competition.
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Publication Date: 2023-02-14 PubMed ID: 36830457PubMed Central: PMC9951660DOI: 10.3390/ani13040670Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research studied blood and electrolyte parameters in horses competing in an endurance race named Raid Uruguayo (RAID). It aimed to understand if a measure of physical comfort during the race, referred to as the ‘comfort index,’ could predict successful race completion. The result indicated that the comfort index showed some linkage with electrolyte levels in the horses, but did not predict race completion.

Study Outline

  • In this study, the researchers examined the hydroelectrolytic parameters—a term referring to the levels of electrolytes sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), total calcium (tCa), and ionized calcium (iCa)—in 900 equine athletes participating in the RAID, an endurance race spanning 80 to 115 km.
  • Hematocrit (Ht) levels, total plasma protein (TPP), and blood pH were also measured from these horses. Hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells in the blood, and total plasma protein relates to the total protein content in the plasma, both of which can reflect the hydration and nutritional status of the horses.
  • The researchers took paired blood samples—first before the race started, and then at the endpoint of the race or the moment of dropout if a horse didn’t finish.
  • A ‘comfort index’ (CI), a metric indicating the ease or difficulty experienced by the horses during the race under various climate conditions, was evaluated. This CI was categorized into low, moderate, and high.

Key Findings

  • Out of the total of 900 horses, 550 didn’t manage to finish the race. However, the study found no association between the comfort index and the horses’ ability to complete the race, illustrating that race completion cannot be predicted by the comfort index alone.
  • For horses that did complete the race, their comfort index was independent of changes in hematocrit, blood pH, total plasma protein, or sodium levels measured after the race but it was associated with decreases in chloride, potassium, and both forms of calcium levels.
  • In contrast, for horses that did not finish the race, the comfort index was linked with all variables except for hematocrit levels.

Conclusion

  • The study emphasized the significance of considering the comfort index when studying the regulation of electrolyte balance in horses during endurance races such as RAID. Even though the comfort index could not predict race completion, it showed an association with certain electrolyte levels which play a crucial role in athletic performance and overall horse’s health. Therefore, understanding this association could assist in enhancing performance and welfare in endurance horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Marichal G, Trigo P, Soto C, Meikle A, Suárez G. (2023). Hydroelectrolytic and Acid-Base Parameters after 80 to 115 km Endurance Races (Raid Uruguayo) and Their Association with the Comfort Index. Animals (Basel), 13(4), 670. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040670

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 4
PII: 670

Researcher Affiliations

Marichal, Gonzalo
  • Unidad de Clínica y Cirugía de Equinos, Departamento Hospital y Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay.
Trigo, Pablo
  • IGEVET CONICET CC La Plata, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de la Plata, La Plata 1900, Argentina.
Soto, Carlos
  • Departamento Hospital y Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay.
Meikle, Ana
  • Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Metabolismo Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay.
Suárez, Gonzalo
  • Unidad de Farmacología y Terapéutica, Departamento Hospital y Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Brito G, Damián JP, Suárez G, Ruprechter G, Trigo P. Characterization of Raid Hipico Uruguayo Competencies by Ride Type: Causes of Death and Risk Factors. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 10;13(10).
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  2. Brito G, Damián JP, Trigo P, Ruprechter G. Metabolic Profiles of Finishing and Nonfinishing Horses in Uruguayan Raid Competitions. Vet Med Int 2025;2025:4217400.
    doi: 10.1155/vmi/4217400pubmed: 41357616google scholar: lookup
  3. Marichal G, Suárez G, Meikle A, Muriel M. Post competition recovery of hydroelectrolytic and acid-base variables under distinct comfort indexes in equines participating in 90 km Federate RAID. Open Vet J 2024 Dec;14(12):3203-3212.
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