The Effects of endurance training on horse red blood cell count and hemoglobin value

Abstract

Introduction. During exercise the cardiovascular system has to warrant substrate supply to working muscle. The main function of red blood cells in exercise is the transport of O2 from the lungs to the tissues and the delivery of metabolically produced CO2 to the lungs for expiration. Hemoglobin also contributes to the blood's buffering capacity, and ATP and NO release from red blood cells contributes to vasodilationn and improved blood flow to working muscle. These functions require adequate amonts of red blood cells in circulation. The aim. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes and readjustment capacity in the some hematological characteristics of the horse during and after a prolonged training program. Materials and methods. The study was conducted in 2014. Three Lithuanian endurance complications and LUHS VA. Horse blood analysis have been performed at the LSMU VA Laboratory of large animal clinic. In this study, twenty seven clinically healthy (clinical examination conducted before and after the competitio) horses were used, who competed in different distances (18 km, 25 km 40 km and 80 km) endurance competitions. [...].