STUDIES IN THE PHYSIOLOGY OF EXERCISE

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Abstract
With only male dogs, entirely free from skin and intestinal infestation and constipation, on a qualitatively and quantitatively constant diet, scrupulously free from contamination, kept in kennels with almost constant temperature and free from odors and almost freed from the interstimulation of barking by cutting the vocal cords, the problem was investigated. Basal metabolism was determined from the O consumed. After 14-66 weeks of inactivity the animals were exercised on a motor driven tread on a 22% grade from 1/2 mile to 8 miles per day. The exercise was given daily in periods varying from a few weeks to 6 mos. In data from over 2 years of daily observation each dog''s metabolism in pretraining, training and post-training periods is shown compared to that of other dogs simultaneously in different training states. Under the conditions stated, metabolism determinations lower than any other yet reported on normal dogs were consistently secured. As findings the following are given[long dash]The basal metabolism of an entirely healthy dog in good nutrition fluctuates over a range of about 30%. The causes of these fluctuations are unknown. Seasonal factors are suspected. A period of training sufficient to put the musculature and entire organism into excellent physical condition for strenuous work is without apparent influence on the basal metabolism either within the training period or in the subsequent post-training period. There is some indication that as a long term effect strenuous training may lower the basal metabolism. However, the data are inadequate on this point. A graphic calculating device for rapidly determining surface area (Meeh''s formula) and cal. per sq. m. per 24 hrs. from wt. and cal. per hr. is a part of the paper.

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