Hematological changes and athletic performance in horses in response to high altitude (3,800 m).
This study had two goals: 1) measure hematologic changes with high-altitude acclimatization in horses; and 2) assess the effect of 9 days at high altitude on subsequent athletic performance at low altitude. Six horses performed standardized exercise tests on a dirt track (before and during time at altitude) and treadmill (pre- and postaltitude exposure). Resting and immediate postexercise blood samples were measured for blood volume, lactate, red cell number, packed cell volume, and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) concentrations at 225 m, over a 9-day period at 3,800 m, and shortly after returning to 225 m. Acclimatization produced increases in total red cell volume (38.2 +/- 2.4 to 48.1 +/- 2.9 ml/kg, P = 0.004) and DPG/hemoglobin concentrations (19.4 +/- 1.7 increased to 29.4 +/- 0. 4 micromol/g, P = 0.004). Two performance variables, heart rate recovery postexercise and lactate recovery, were faster after acclimatization.
Wickler
S J
SJ
Equine Research Center, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona 91768, USA. sjwickler@csupomona.edu
Anderson
T P
TP
D019794:2,3-Diphosphoglycerate / Q000097:blood; D000064:Acclimatization / Q000502:physiology*; D000531:Altitude; D000818:Animals; D001810:Blood Volume; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D004911:Erythrocyte Volume; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006736:Horses / Q000097:blood*; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology
D006454:Hemoglobins; D007773:Lactates; D019794:2,3-Diphosphoglycerate