Pulmonary function at rest in show jumpers, event and endurance horses assessed by indices derived from the single breath diagram for CO2 (SBD-CO2)

Interdisciplinary differences of lung function in elite lumping, event and endurance horses assessed by indices derived from the Single Breath Diagram for CO2 (SBD-CO2). Although cardiovascular and respiratory adaptations to exercise in the equi ne athlete at different workload intensities are known, studies considering interdisciplinary differences in dead space ventilation and alveolar effic iency measured at rest have not been established. In the present study we i nvestigated differences of lung function indices derived from the single br eath diagram for CO2 (SBD-CO2) and the influence of age on these indices in show jumpers, event and endurance horses. The state of pulmonary health wa s 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-CO2 compare d to eventers and show jumpers. As well training quality as environmental c onditions might contribute to the differences of lung function in these ath letes. 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 (VDBoh/VT) and an index of effec tive CO2 elimination (A(1)/A(2)) in the group of endurance horses. This stu dy bcs served to determine interdisciplinary differences and the effect of age on indices derived from the SBD-CO2; effects which should be considered in evaluating pulmonary function an health in the resting horse.