Influence of altitude and physical conditioning on the glucose and lactate blood values in endurance horses

Abstract

The effects of altitude on physiological parameters are widely studied in humans, but in horses these studies are scarce and inconclusive. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether there is an influence of altitude in endurance horses with different fits on the glucose and lactate blood values. Forty endurance horses performed standardized exercise tests at various altitudes, and blood samples collected for analysis of glucose and lactate. The animals at the beginning of training was influenced by high altitude with increase in lactate and glucose while the best-fit animals suffered little influence in both parameters independent of altitude. Best-fit animals are little influenced by the effects of low oxygen pressure in the evaluated parameters.