How Do Avalanche Dogs (and Their Handlers) Cope with Physical Exercise? Heart Rate Changes during Endurance in a Snowy Environment

This study aimed to assess the heart rate (HR) responses of avalanche SAR dogs and handlers under working field conditions. Thirteen SAR units (dogs and handlers) performed an exercise (Endurance) consisting of approximately 5.5 km of rough tracks through deep snow, at an altitude of 1991–2250 m.a.s.l. The exercise was repeated twice for each of the two different tracks. Both handlers and dogs were equipped with a global positioning satellite/heart rate (GPS/HR) system (Polar®). Multivariable models were used to evaluate the effects of environmental (i.e., gradient, altitude, track, and time) and intrinsic (i.e., speed, repetition, and breed) factors on changes from baseline HR (Δ%HR). The dog’s Δ%HR was greater in the flat and uphill compared with downhill, and increased progressively as the speed increased (p < 0.001). Moreover, it rose at altitudes above 2100 m.a.s.l. and peaked after 30 min of the Endurance activity (p < 0.01). These findings indicated that HR monitors could be a valuable tool to contribute to the evaluation of avalanche dogs’ fitness in their real working environment. In contrast, the lack of correlation between the dogs’ and handlers’ HR changes suggests that handlers might not perceive the physical conditions of their dog in real-time. Thus, implementing protocols to monitor avalanche SAR dogs’ fitness using a GPS/HR monitoring system could help handlers to tailor the training and workload and to detect the risk factors for physical distress of working dogs.

PHYTOCHEMICALS SCREENING AND ACTIVITIES OF BINAHONG (ANREDERA CORDIFOLIA [TEN.] STEENIS) LEAVES AND BEETROOTS (BETA VULGARIS L.) IN INCREASING SWIMMING ENDURANCE IN MICE

Objective: The aim of this research was to the identification of bioactive compounds and comparison of binahong (Anredera cordifolia [Ten.] Steenis) leaves and beetroots (Beta vulgaris L.) ethanol extract in swimming endurance activity in mice. Methods: The type of research that has been carried out is experimental laboratory which includes identification of bioactive content quality and testing of swimming endurance effect by comparing the difference between before and after treatment by binahong leaves and beetroots ethanol extract. Results: The results of bioactive compounds identification of binahong leaves and beetroots are alkaloids, glycosides, cyanogenic glycosides, flavonoids, and tannins. Steroid compounds are only found in binahong leaves. The results of swimming resistance are significantly different (p<0.05) in all groups. Animals group given 20% binahong leaves extract increased swimming resistance for 36,392 min, followed by caffeine for 33,440 minutes, then 10% binahong leaves extract for 29,142 min. Conclusion: Binahong leaves and beetroots have almost the same bioactive content except in the steroid content. The binahong leaves swimming endurance activity is higher than the bit bulbs.

Female sex hormones and the recovery from exercise: Menstrual cycle phase affects responses

SummaryStudy aim: Evidence supports female sex hormones have an influencing effect on amultitude of physiological and psychological systems related to exercise. Little is known, however, whether is effect persist into the recovery from exercise. Our objective was to examine aspects of muscle damage/inflammation process during recovery in healthy, exercise-trained women following endurance activity at the mid-follicular (MF; low sex hormone level) and mid-luteal (ML; elevated sex hormone levels) phases of their menstrual cycle.Material and methods: The MF and ML exercise sessions consisted of running for 90 minutes at 70% VO2max on atreadmill in a controlled laboratory environment. Menstrual cycle phase was hormonally confirmed, diet and physical activity was control throughout the study. Outcome measures were: blood creatine kinase (CK) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) assessed at immediate-post exercise (IP), 24-hour and 72-hour into recovery. Statistics involved ANOVA procedures.Results: At 24-hours and 72-hour into recovery CK activity was greater in MF than ML (p < 0.05) while for IL-6 at IP, 24-hour and 72-hour responses were significantly greater at MF than at ML (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Amore robust recovery CK and IL-6 response occur in the MF of the menstrual cycle when female sex hormones are reduced. This finding suggests female sex hormone changes due to menstrual cycle phase affect the physiologic responses during the extended recovery period from intensive exercise in eumenorrheic women.