Effects of resistance training on electrocardiographic and blood parameters of police dogs

Abstract

The aims of this study were to evaluate effects of a 6 week resistance training on electrocardiographic (ECG) and blood parameters of police dogs. Our hypothesis was that this training protocol improves fitness, contributing to the welfare of these animals. Nine dogs, 18.56±0.53 months old, were evaluated before (M1) and six weeks after (M2) a training protocol using treadmill. Their training program was performed 2 times/week, and included 20 min of treadmill activity on a speed compatible with 60-80% of HRmax on weeks 1 and 2, same exercise of weeks 1 and 2 with a 5% grade added between 7.5 and 12.5 min in weeks 3 and 4, and, finally, same exercise of weeks 3 and 4 with three short bursts of strenuous exercise, 60 min after the end of treadmill activity. On both moments, animals were examined before (T0) and after (T1) an incremental effort test, and at 30 (T2) and 120 min (T3) of recovery, measuring heart rate, respiratory rate and body temperature. Blood samples were taken to determine erythrogram, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, triglycerides, lactate and glucose. Electrocardiographic variables were analysed at T0 and T1. All variables were analysed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests, with P≤0.05. After training, there was an increase on the length of work on treadmill of 41.5% for the German Shepherd (P=0.0139) and 21.4% for the Belgian Malinois (P=0.0085) along with a increase of maximal speed of 34.0% for the German Shepherd (P=0.0084) and 15.9% for the Belgian Malinois (P=0.0241). It was observed in physiological, blood and ECG parameters differences between M1 and M2 (P<0.05). Other findings included a lower rest QTc value at T0 after training (P=0.0194). The chosen training led to a better fitness of the police dogs as all of them worked more intensively with a low cardiovascular requirement in M2. In conclusion, current exercise protocol in a treadmill improved dogs fitness, when we analysed ECG, physiological and blood parameters, making possible that animals may be used in more extended and multiple missions, contributing welfare of these animals.

Effect of a lactate‐guided conditioning program on heart rate variability obtained using 24-Holter electrocardiography in Beagle dogs

“…Although some studies in dogs have established that exercise training could lead to reduced resting heart rate (HR rest ) while increasing vagal HRV, few have accurately reported the intensity of effort used as a guide for prescribing the fitness protocol. These studies used healthy dogs [19] or dogs affected by experimentally induced myocardial infarction through coronary artery occlusion [20,21]. Furthermore, the HRV determined in these previous studies was obtained by electrocardiography immediately before or during 30-s to 5-min after exercise.…”

“…Because trained athletes have higher HRV than sedentary individuals, it has been suggested that exercise training could increase heart rate variability in normal populations.The HRV of dogs submitted to chronic exercise was studied in conditioning programs prescribed based on estimated effort intensities, with a relative degree of subjectivity, between 70% and 80% [20,21] or 60 to 80% [19] of the maximum heart rate (HRmax). These authors reported divergent findings while the first study reported an increase in HRV, the second found no change.…”

“…These authors reported divergent findings while the first study reported an increase in HRV, the second found no change. Such conflicting results may be possibly related to the methodology used to guide the training effort intensity or the HRV determination method that used Holter immediately before and during the exercise test [21] or electrocardiogram at rest [19]. Additionally, other factors may interfere with results such as different conditioning stages, difficulty in determining actual resting state, or lack of familiarity of the dogs with the laboratory facilities and the procedure itself as well [22].…”

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

“…The maximal velocity (Vmax) that each dog develops during each IET will be compared. The IET will be executed as described, 4,29,30 an additional 8-min warm-up at 4.8 km/h at a 5% inclination will be implemented.The IET will have a maximal duration of 38 min, consisting of five stages of 6 min each, starting at 9.6 km/h, incrementing 1.6 km/h every stage up to 16 km/h (Figure 3).…”

“…Aerobic resistance (secondary outcome). Blood LT will be measured during the IET at the end of every stage as described, 4,29,30 before and after completing the intervention. A lactate sample will be drawn every 10 min after finalising the IET during the 30-min resting period.…”