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

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, as...