Body temperature and heat exchange during treadmill running in dogs

Abstract

Body temperature during treadmill running was studied in six dogs at seven different grades from 0–22 degrees of inclination. The replicate variability in the work rectal, skin and fur temperature was ±0.5℉, ±1.4℉ and ±1.3℉, respectively. At grades up to 12 degrees of inclination there is a prolonged steady state in the rectal temperature. At higher grades there is a progressive increase in rectal temperature with running time. Body surface temperatures show little affect at the lower grades. At higher work intensities there is an increase in skin and fur temperature. Maximum heat storage varied from 21.3–41.3 Cal. during short term exhaustive work. This type of calculation is discussed critically. The relationship between rate of rise in rectal temperature and maximum performance time was studied. Without regard to work load a product-moment correlation coefficient of +0.991 was found. Submitted on September 17, 1958