Development of a perceived exertion scale for dogs using selected physiologic parameters

Abstract

Objective To develop a perceived exertion scale for dogs exercising on a treadmill and to assess intra‐ and inter‐observer variability. Materials and Methods Fifteen healthy client‐owned dogs participated in paired exercise trials. Measurements of lactate, glucose, heart rate, temperature, respiratory rate and regional tissue oximetry were obtained before, during and after exercise. Perceived exertion scale scores were recorded during exercise and using video recordings to evaluate inter‐observer variability. Correlations were evaluated using the Spearman's non‐parametric method. Results Thirteen dogs completed both trials. Dogs walked or trotted on the treadmill with an average perceived exertion score of 2 in both trials. Holter heart rate was positively correlated with perceived exertion scale scores from all observers for both trials. In trial 1, plasma glucose decreased in association with increase in perceived exertion and, in trial 2, cutaneous oximetry decreased, respiratory rate increased and temperature increased with increases on the perceived exertion scale. Inter‐observer perceived exertion scale scores were positively correlated in both trials. There was no intra‐observer variability between trials. Clinical Significance The perceived exertion scale correlated with the measured physiologic parameters in dogs exercising at mild to moderate intensity. The perceived exertion scale was consistent and repeatable but larger study numbers and further validation are needed before it can be widely applied.

Development of Novel Continuous and Interval Exercise Programs by Applying the FITT-VP Principle in Dogs

“…e reasons why there is no association between the speed of activity and HR are not clear, but the lower and narrow range of exercise intensity may be involved. e treadmill speed in our protocols 1 to 6 was set at 4.8-6.4 km/ h, which is similar to that of the study by Swanson et al [38]. In this study, they demonstrated that the dogs were easily distracted at a lower treadmill speed, and the HR at a lower range of speed could hardly reflect exercise intensity [38].…”

“…e treadmill speed in our protocols 1 to 6 was set at 4.8-6.4 km/ h, which is similar to that of the study by Swanson et al [38]. In this study, they demonstrated that the dogs were easily distracted at a lower treadmill speed, and the HR at a lower range of speed could hardly reflect exercise intensity [38]. Table 4: Correlation between individual heart rate and exercise intensity during continuous exercise or interval exercise.…”

Efficacy of high‐intensity interval training compared with moderate‐intensity continuous training on maximal aerobic potency in dogs: Trial protocol for a randomised controlled clinical study

“…Swanson and others described that dogs get easily distracted at lower treadmill speed. 20,51 At this time, these are only observations. It is necessary to wait for the results of this clinical trial, where several more questions will probably arise.…”

Heart Rate Changes Before, During, and After Treadmill Walking Exercise in Normal Dogs

“…Therapeutic exercise is commonly used in veterinary rehabilitation (13,14). While HR during exercise has been examined in athletic dogs, there are gaps in understanding what to expect, and data are lacking for rehabilitation patients (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23). Swanson et al (19) developed a visual exertion scale for healthy dogs walking and trotting on a treadmill, finding that an increase in exertion correlated to an increase in HR.…”

“…Swanson et al (19) developed a visual exertion scale for healthy dogs walking and trotting on a treadmill, finding that an increase in exertion correlated to an increase in HR. The authors recognized that larger studies were needed to validate their subjective measures and that the Holter monitor used in that study may be prohibitively expensive to those in private practice (19). Boddy et al (20) described collecting HR by auscultation in a 6-min walk test in dogs with congestive heart failure as compared to normal healthy dogs: though post-walk HR did not significantly increase from baseline, distance traveled in the heart failure group was less.…”