Influência do exercício físico sobre sódio e potássio séricos em equinos da raça Quarto de Milha e mestiços submetidos à prova de laço em dupla Influence of physical exercise on serum electrolytes in Quarter horses submitted to team roping

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of high intensity and short duration physical exercise (roping team competition) on serum concentrations of sodium and potassium in horses during competition at Espirito Santo state, Brazil. Blood samples were taken from 20 Quarter Horses and cross-bred evaluated in three moments: at rest, one week before the competition, with the animals being trained (T0), just before the competition (T1), and immediately after the exercise (T2). Serum concentrations of sodium were 141.3 ± 7.0 mEq/L, 154.5 ± 11.2 mEq/L and 139.4 ± 3.3 mEq/L, respectively, on the moments T0, T1 and T2. Serum concentrations of potassium were 3.9 ± 0.6 mEq/L, 4.4 ± 0.8 mEq/L and 4.6 ± 0.4 mEq/L respectively, on the moments T0, T1 and T2. Results showed that the imposed physical exercise did not influence serum concentrations of sodium, but leaded to a significant elevation of serum potassium. It was also possible observe the influence of transportation on both eletrolytes.