Evaluation der Lungenfunktion in Ruhe bei Spring-, Military-, und Distanzpferden mit Hilfe von Indizes abgeleitet aus dem „Single Breath Diagram“ für CO2 (SBD-CO2)

Abstract

SummaryInterdisciplinary differences of lung function in elite jumping, event and endurance horses assessed by indices derived from the Single Breath Diagram for CO 2 (SBD-CO 2 ). Although cardiovascular and respiratory adaptations to exercise in the equine athlete at different workload intensities are known, studies considering interdisciplinary differences in dead space ventilation and alveolar efficiency measured at rest have not been established. In the present study we investigated differences of lung function indices derived from the single breath diagram for CO 2 (SBD-CO 2 ) and the influence of age on these indices in show jumpers, event and endurance horses. The state of pulmonary health was evaluated by clinical examination as the results were scored and used as one of the explaining variables for statistical analysis. Endurance horses were superior in all lung function indices derived from the SBD-CO 2 compared to eventers and show jumpers. As well training quality as environmental conditions might contribute to the differences of lung function in these athletes. Age related differences of lung function were significant, with the exception of the expiratory tidal volume (VT) in event horses and the dead space/tidal volume ratio according to Bohr (VD Bohr /VT) and an index of effective CO 2 elimination (A 1 /A 2 ) in the group of endurance horses. This study has served to determine interdisciplinary differences and the effect of age on indices derived from the SBD-CO 2 ; effects which should be considered in evaluating pulmonary function an health in the resting horse. Keywords:jumping, eventing, endurance, age, SBD-CO 2 , dead space, alveolar efficiency