Atividade atlética de polo em cavalos: avaliação clínica e laboratorial

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of polo athletic activity on the clinical, hematological, biochemical, and blood gas parameters in Thoroughbred (PSI) and crossbred Thoroughbred-Criollo (PSIC) horses. Twenty-one clinically healthy adult animals (14 PSI and seven PSIC), including nine males and 12 females, were used. The horses were maintained at the Polomar Polo Club in Bahia. The animals were monitored during an equestrian polo match, where physical activity lasted seven minutes. They were then assessed through physical examination and blood collection at the following time points: before exercise (T0), immediately after (T1), two, six, and 16 hours post-activity (T2, T3, and T4). In addition to physiological constants (heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and capillary refill time), the following blood components were evaluated: hematological parameters; biochemical components, including indicators of muscle activity and stress (lactate dehydrogenase, lactate, creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, and cortisol); energy and protein profile (total cholesterol, glucose, urea, creatinine, gamma-glutamyl transferase, total proteins, albumin, and globulin); mineral profile (total calcium, ionized calcium, sodium, potassium, chloride, phosphorus, magnesium); and acid-base balance components (pH, partial pressure of oxygen, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, base excess, bicarbonate ion concentration, total carbon dioxide concentration, and oxygen saturation). The data were subjected to statistical analysis, and the results demonstrated significant increases in physical parameters, such as heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and temperature, indicating adaptations to physical exertion. A significant increase (p<0.001) was observed in hematological parameters immediately after><0.001) was observed in hematological parameters immediately after exercise, including red blood cells, hemoglobin concentration, and lymphocytes. The concentrations of lactate and cortisol were also statistically significant (p<0.001) was observed in hematological parameters immediately after><0.001) ), indicating stress associated with the sport. Significant variations were also observed in creatinine, total proteins, albumin, and globulin concentrations. Regarding the mineral profile, the results showed a significant increase in calcium and phosphorus values and a decrease in magnesium concentration. A reduction in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide and x total carbon dioxide concentration was observed, indicating an aerobic response of the animals to exercise. The bicarbonate ion concentration x decreased, suggesting blood pH regulation in response to exercise. Based on the findings related to physical evaluations and markers of muscle activity, stress, conditioning, and hematological components, it can be concluded that equestrian polo influenced the physiological and biochemical configurations of athletic horses, reflecting specific adaptations to the sport's physical demands. Furthermore, since the changes induced by exercise reverted quickly, it can be inferred that this recovery resulted from the low intensity of the alterations and the animals' good conditioning.