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The Journal of physiology2021; 599(16); 3879-3896; doi: 10.1113/JP281648

Pre-loading large volume oral electrolytes: tracing fluid and ion fluxes in horses during rest, exercise and recovery.

Abstract: Exercise results in rapid and large extracellular to intracellular fluid shifts, as well as significant sweating losses of water and ions. It is unknown whether ions within oral electrolyte supplements are taken up by muscle (and other soft tissues) and whether oral supplementation can effectively offset sweating losses. Pre-loading with 8 L of a balanced hypotonic electrolyte supplement attenuated extracellular fluid losses, increased exercise duration and increased sweating fluid and ion losses during submaximal exercise. Supplemented electrolytes appear in skeletal muscle within 1 h after administration. Electrolyte supplementation increased exercise performance, improved maintenance of extracellular fluid volumes, and attenuated body fluid losses while maintaining sweating rates. This study used radioactive sodium ( Na) and potassium ( K) in a balanced, hypotonic electrolyte supplement to trace their appearance in skeletal muscle, and also quantified extracellular and whole-body fluid and ion changes during electrolyte supplementation, exercise and recovery. In a randomized crossover design, 1 h after administration of 1 to 3 L of water or electrolyte supplement with Na, horses were exercised at 35% VO to voluntary fatigue or, after administration of 8 L of water or electrolyte supplement with K were exercised at 50% peak VO for 45 min (n = 4 in each trial). Pre-exercise electrolyte supplementation was associated with decreased loss of fluid and electrolytes from the extracellular fluid compartments during exercise and recovery compared with water alone. The improved fluid and ion balance during prolonged exercise was associated with increased exercise duration, despite continuing sweating losses of fluid and ions. Nasogastric administration of radiotracer Na and K showed rapid absorption into the blood with plasma levels peaking 45 min after administration, followed by distribution into the extracellular space and intracellular fluid of muscle within 1 h. Following exercise, virtually all Na remained within the extracellular compartment, while the majority of K underwent intracellular uptake by 2 h of recovery. It is concluded that pre-loading with a large volume, balanced electrolyte supplement helps maintain whole-body fluid and ion balance and support muscle function during periods of prolonged sweat ion losses.
© 2021 The Authors. The Journal of Physiology © 2021 The Physiological Society.
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Publication Date: 2021-07-13 PubMed ID: 34252203DOI: 10.1113/JP281648Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 focuses on examining the impact of pre-loading large volume oral electrolytes in horses during rest, exercise, and recovery. The study investigates how these electrolytes, found in supplements, are taken up by the muscles and if they can offset losses due to sweating. Results indicated that electrolyte supplementation led to increased exercise performance, better maintenance of extracellular fluid volumes, attenuated body fluid losses, and maintained sweat rates.

Research Methods

  • The study used radioactive sodium (Na) and potassium (K) in a balanced, hypotonic electrolyte supplement to trace their progress into skeletal muscle, and to quantify extracellular and whole-body fluid and ion changes during electrolyte supplementation, exercise, and recovery.
  • In a randomized crossover design, horses were given 1 to 3 liters of water or electrolyte supplement with Na, and were then made to exercise at 35% of their VO max until they became tired. In another trial, after administration of 8 liters of water or electrolyte supplement with K, horses were exercised at 50% peak VO for 45 minutes.

Research Findings

  • Pre-exercise electrolyte supplementation was tied with decreased losses of fluid and electrolytes from extracellular fluid compartments during exercise and recovery when compared to water alone.
  • The improved fluid and ion balance during extended exercise was associated with increased exercise duration, despite continued sweating losses of fluid and ions.
  • Nasogastric administration of radioactive Na and K showed rapid absorption into the blood, with plasma levels peaking 45 minutes after administration, followed by distribution into the extracellular space and intracellular fluid of muscle within an hour.
  • After exercise, most of the Na remained within the extracellular compartment, while most of the K was taken in by cells within two hours of recovery.

Conclusion

  • The study concludes that pre-loading with a large volume, balanced electrolyte supplement can help maintain whole-body fluid and ion balance and support muscle function during periods of prolonged sweat ion losses.

Cite This Article

APA
Waller AP, Lindinger MI. (2021). Pre-loading large volume oral electrolytes: tracing fluid and ion fluxes in horses during rest, exercise and recovery. J Physiol, 599(16), 3879-3896. https://doi.org/10.1113/JP281648

Publication

The Journal of physiology
ISSN: 1469-7793
NlmUniqueID: 0266262
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 599
Issue: 16
Pages: 3879-3896

Researcher Affiliations

Waller, Amanda P
  • Center for Clinical & Translational Research, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Lindinger, Michael I
  • Research and Development, The Nutraceutical Alliance Inc., Burlington, Ontario, Canada.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Electrolytes
  • Horses
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal
  • Sodium
  • Sweating
  • Water
  • Water-Electrolyte Balance

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Waller AP, Lindinger MI. Tracing Acid-Base Variables in Exercising Horses: Effects of Pre-Loading Oral Electrolytes. Animals (Basel) 2022 Dec 24;13(1).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13010073pubmed: 36611683google scholar: lookup
  2. Lindinger MI. Oral Electrolyte and Water Supplementation in Horses. Vet Sci 2022 Nov 10;9(11).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci9110626pubmed: 36356103google scholar: lookup
  3. Lindinger MI, Waller AP. Physicochemical Analysis of Mixed Venous and Arterial Blood Acid-Base State in Horses at Core Temperature during and after Moderate-Intensity Exercise. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jul 22;12(15).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12151875pubmed: 35892525google scholar: lookup
  4. Gao N, Deng X, Lei Y, Jiang P, Wu Y. From lab to field: progress and prospect of sweat sensing technology in sports monitoring. Mikrochim Acta 2026 Mar 5;193(4).
    doi: 10.1007/s00604-026-07835-9pubmed: 41787012google scholar: lookup
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