Evaluation of physical fitness in police dogs using an incremental exercise test

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using blood lactate (BL), heart rate (HR) and rectal temperature (RT) to evaluate the physical fitness of police dogs using a treadmill incremental exercise test. The animals (n=20) were exercised using a protocol that consisted of five stages of six minutes each at increasing speeds of 9.66, 11.27, 12.87, 14.48 and 16.09 km/h with a slope adjusted to 10%. The test ended when the animal completed the five steps or when exhaustion was reached, either during or between steps. BL from the marginal ear vein, HR and RT were measured on the police dogs at rest (T0), after each step (T1 to T5) and after a recovery period of 20 minutes (T6). The mean duration of exercise was 19 min 17 s (standard deviation ± 5 min 30 s), with only one animal completing all five stages. In the case of BL, no differences were found when comparing consecutive stages, but when compared to the values at rest (T0), a significant increase was found in T2 (P<0.05), T3, T4 and T6 (P<0.001). When the RT was considered, an increase was found between T0 and T3 (P<0.05). HR was the parameter in which the largest variations were observed, between T1 and T2 (P<0.05), and T1, T4 and T6 when compared to the stage immediately before (P<0.01). When compared to T0, all stages showed differences (P<0.001). However, no correlation was found between the parameters evaluated in this test. This study showed the feasibility of evaluating the physical fitness of police dogs using a blood sample from the marginal ear vein and a lactate portable measuring device. It was also found that the values recorded in animals previously familiarised with the treadmill were similar to those that were not. This work provides data that can be used in training and testing of dogs that perform this kind of work, and can be the basis for further studies.