The physiological response of siberian husky dogs to exercise: effect of interval training

Five Siberian Husky Dogs participated in an initial study to determine their physiological response to three types of exercise. Blood samples were taken prior to, and three minutes following, a 7.5 km free run and 6 km team sled run for the determination of hemoglobin, hematocrit, red and white blood cell counts, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase. Samples were also taken following a 90s sprint run. Heart rate was taken immediately after each run by palpation of the femoral pulse. Average heart rates following the 90s, 7.5 km and 6 km runs were 190 bpm, 211 bpm and 166 bpm, respectively. Mean lactate concentrations following the 90s, 7.5 km and 6 km runs were 1.74 mMol . 1(-1), 0.70 mMol . 1(-1), and 3.06 mMol . 1(-1), respectively. Elevation of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase was greatest following the 6 km sled run. Three of the above dogs were then studied before and after a 12 week interval training program, while three other dogs served as controls. The animals completed a three stage, submaximal treadmill test prior to and following the program. Pre and post blood samples were taken, and rectal temperature and heart rate were recorded continuously throughout the test. An analysis of variance was used to examine the significance of differences between and within groups. Although the response of heart rate, lactate, temperature and serum enzymes to submaximal exercise did not change with training significant differences between groups suggested that a more prolonged program may have resulted in such adaptations.