The workload and plasma ion concentration in a training match session of high-goal (elite) polo ponies.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY

This study was designed to consider the complexity of the physical effort inherent to horses in polo competitions and the absence of reports in the literature on the effort, intensity and electrolyte changes resulting from a collective team training session aimed at preparing for a polo championship.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effort and ion changes caused by an outdoor polo training match for a 25 goal handicap (elite) based on physiological variables including acid-base status (venous pH, PCO(2) and HCO(3)(-)), packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), lactate, glucose, sodium, chloride and potassium and strong ion difference (SID) as well as creatine kinase (CK) activity.

METHODS

Twenty-three clinically healthy 'high-goal' polo ponies were used, which included 10 geldings and 13 females. The horses performed a training match, as a preparation for a 25 goal tournament, consisting of 6 chukkas of 7 min duration each. Blood samples were collected during resting, and at 5 min, 6 and 12 h after each chukka. Data were analysed using ANOVA for repeated measures followed by Tukey's test.

RESULTS

Differences (P < 0.001) were evident mainly in post exercise for all variables studied. There was a reduction in pH, PCO(2) and HCO(3)(-) and SID, together with an increase in PCV and Hb, lactate, glucose, Na(+) and Cl(-). K(+) levels remained constant at all times of collection. The average resting value for CK was 255 ± 9 iu/l, and 6 h after effort there was a 35% increase in enzyme activity.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that the horses participating in a training match underwent a high-intensity effort with alterations in electrolytes and acid-base equilibrium.

POTENTIAL RELEVANCE

Training matches should be carefully conducted, with a suitable recovery period before the main match.