Rick M. Arthur, DVMEquine Medical Director

California Horse Racing Boardand

School of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of California, Davis

Acid-Base Physiology

The body regulates the pH (acidity) of the blood by manipulating bicarbonate

H+ + HCO3- ↔ H2CO3 ↔ CO2 + H2O

H+ (acid from muscle exertion)

Alkalizing agent

Neutralize Acid to Enhance Performance 

Summary. Sodium bicarbonate and sodium citrate enhance performance when consumed before high-intensity events. A gain of 1-2% is possible in events lasting a few minutes… The substances work by helping to neutralize the acid produced by active muscles.

Neutralize Acid to Enhance Performance : R Mc Naughton, B. Dalton, J. Tarr, D. Buck http://www.sportsci.org/traintech/buffer/lrm.htm

Neutralize Acid to Enhance Performance 

Summary. Sodium bicarbonate and sodium citrate enhance performance when consumed before high-intensity events. A gain of 1-2% is possible in events lasting a few minutes… The substances work by helping to neutralize the acid produced by active muscles.

Reference: R Mc Naughton, B. Dalton, J. Tarr, D. Buck : Neutralize Acid to Enhance Performance http://www.sportsci.org/traintech/buffer/lrm.htm

Neutralize Acid to Enhance Performance 

A Gain of 1-2%:

6 Furlongs about 3-7 Lengths

1 Mile about 4-9 Lengths

11/4 Mile about 6-12 Lengths

TCO2 vs. Top 3 Finishers

40

42

44

46

48

50

52

% in

Top

3 F

inis

hers

>33mml/l >34mml/l >35mml/l >36mml/l

**

0.00

01

*0.

0005

0.00

65

0.05

64

Cohen, Stanley, Arthur & Wang, Equine Veterinary Journal(2006) 38:543-548

Funded byOak Tree Racing Association

Normal TCO2:

~1.5mmls

37.0 mmls

RECOMMENDED “BEST PRACTICES” FOR TCO2 TESTING

AND SAMPLE COLLECTION37mm/l

+ Measurement Uncertainty

TCO2 Testing Program

Del Mar 2004* ’06 & ’07TCO2

>37mmls/l 20% 0%

TCO2>39mmls/l 10% 0%

* Prior to announced TCO2 Testing Program

• 40 Samples Exceeded 36mmls/l from 37 Horses• Only 1 sample exceeded the 37mmls/l limit• 21/40 Samples came from just 1 trainer• 28/40 Samples came from just 2 trainers

TCO2 Greater than 36mmls/lat Hollywood Park Spring 2006

TCO2 Greater than 36mmls/lat Hollywood Park Spring ’07&’08

NONEOver the last 18 months the rate of samples > 36mml/l in SoCal is

< 0.020%

Furosemide:• Is significantly associated with finishing in

the top 3 (P= 0.001) separate from the TCO2 effect

– Reduction of EIPH?– Weight Loss?– Increase in TCO2?– Some other unidentified factor

Anabolic Steroids

No Steroids

Oak Tree Racing Association, October 25, 2008