engleski

The effect of moderate treadmill exercise on aerobic capacity in labrador retrievers : a preliminary study

Aerobic capacity is defined as maximum amount of oxygen that body can use during specific period, and it can be improved by exercise. The aim of this preliminary study was to research the effects of moderate intensity level treadmill exercise on aerobic capacity in Labrador Retrievers. Five Labrador Retrievers from the same litter, aged 14 months, mean weight 29.2 kg were submitted to moderate treadmill exercise training (25 min) two times per week for one month. Moderate exercise intensity was determined by the heart rate frequency that should remain below 80 percent of maximum heart rate. Heart frequency was monitored by POLAR heart rate device. The initial testing was performed by increasing the speed of treadmill until the heart rate reached the frequency of 130-140 beats per minute (bpm). The mean treadmill speed at initial testing was 4.7 km/hour. After one month of treadmill exercise the dogs were put on the same speed as at the initial testing and their heart rate was monitored. Differences between inital and final heart rate values were tested by Student’s t-test. Statistically significant difference was set at p<0.05. The mean (±SE) heart frequency at the initial testing was 136.8 (± 0.58) bpm, while at the final testing the mean heart frequency was 126.6 (± 3.35) bpm. A heart frequency measured at the final testing was significantly lower (p=0.001) than the one in the initial. The study demonstrated a positive transformation of aerobic capacity in Labrador Retriever sibilings after one month of moderate treadmill exercise.

Labrador Retriever; aerobic capacity; exercise

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