A behavioral model for quantifying physiologic adjustments during increased exercise

Abstract A complete system to facilitate quantitative measurements of behavioral feeding patterns, body compositional changes, metabolic utilization of food sources, and energetic work efficiencies in the exercising rat is described. The system includes a behavioral contingency of wheel running to gain access to food, a torqueing method to quantify work performed and increase energy expenditure, an enclosed chamber to provide for gas collection and analyses, and metabolic caging to facilitate collection of urine and feces for use in carbonnitrogen balance procedures. The system allows the animal to establish and modify its own feeding pattern. Construction of the apparatus, methodology, operative outline and advantages of the system are included.