Effect of exercise on cardiovascular parameters in search and rescue-trained dogs

Abstract

Physical activity alters the cardiovascular system of dogs, depending on the exercise characteristics and the animal’s physical conditioning. Little is known about the cardiovascular changes in rescue-trained dogs. This study evaluated the cardiovascular responses to a search and rescue exercise session to differentiate these alterations from cases of exhaustion or some possible pathology. Nine healthy rescue-trained dogs that trained for at least one year were used. Seven German Shepherds and two Belgian Shepherd Malinois were evaluated twice, immediately before exercise (M0) and immediately after a 20-minute training (M1). Electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and systemic blood pressure (SBP) measurements were performed at each evaluation. Heart rate was evaluated in three moments, M0, M1 and five minutes after the end of the physical activity (M2). The results indicated that training increased oxygen demand and significantly increased cardiac output, left ventricular volume in diastole and aortic artery diameter, and the contraction force with the increased mitral annular motion without impairing systolic and diastolic cardiac functions. Heart rate values immediately and five minutes after exercise were similar to baseline values. Training did not alter SBP and the electrocardiographic parameters. The present study indicated good cardiac performance to the physical effort of rescue-trained dogs and reduced the chances of poor performance and the occurrence of sudden death caused by exercise in response to the pattern of activity performed.

Changes in the Heart Rate of Sniffer Dogs Trained for Detection of Lung Cancer

“…Recently, the use of human heart rate monitors for the measurement of dogs' heart rates [12,[17][18][19] has become preferred to the gold standard, i.e., electrocardiography (ECG) [20,21]. Such monitors consist of a chest strap with electrodes and a built-in signal transmitter.…”

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

“…2 Adequate training is essential for successful maximal physical conditioning; it could avoid exercise-related problems that can result in critical downtime and compromise its career. 2,29,57,60 Dogs that are routinely trained for sports and working reasons could benefit from the effective and efficient way of improving physical capacity with the aid of HIIT methodology.…”

Electrocardiographic changes and changes in cardiac lactate and troponin I levels associated with search and rescue physical activity in military dogs

“…Cardiac adaptations secondary to a physical activity routine also trigger cardiac remodeling in dogs (Civelek et al, 2012;Santos et al, 2018), and electrocardiography (ECG) changes consistent with this condition can be observed, such as an increase in QRS duration, QT interval, and S wave amplitude (Bavegems et al, 2009;Constable et al 2000). In time, significant alterations to the electrocardiographic exam were observed in military service dogs after a six-week physical training process, where the electrocardiogram revealed physiological adaptations at a cardiovascular level triggered by the practice of physical activity (Moraes et al, 2017).…”

“…In time, significant alterations to the electrocardiographic exam were observed in military service dogs after a six-week physical training process, where the electrocardiogram revealed physiological adaptations at a cardiovascular level triggered by the practice of physical activity (Moraes et al, 2017). Moreover, the "athlete's heart" syndrome was described in search, rescue, and recovery dogs due to the physical activity routine, but without electrocardiographic changes (Santos et al, 2018). A study using electrocardiography in several breeds of dogs identified that German Shepherds presented arrhythmias the most (Noszczyk-Nowak et al, 2017); also, such breed is widely used by military services (Ferworn, 2009;Lima et al, 2016).…”