Spontaneous running in wheels. A microprocessor assisted method for measuring physiological parameters during exercise in rodents

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Abstract
When examining physiological parameters during exercise in rodents most techniques use forced exercise on treadmills or forced swimming which undoubtedly will employ stress to the animals. This paper describes a convenient method to measure physiological parameters during spontaneous exercise in rodents. Hamsters and rats develop a spontaneous running pattern in wheels. The hamsters are reaching maximal activity almost immediately. In contrast, rats increase their running activity with time and need about 4 weeks to reach an average of about 7 km/day. The amount of running is measured by a microprocessor system. With this technique pain threshold, blood pressure and heart rate for example could be measured for extended periods of time, without changing the environment of the animals.

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