Colonic and tail-skin temperature responses of the rat at selected running speeds

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Abstract
The relationship between work intensity and equilibrium body temperature at low and high running speeds in the rat was studied. After training to run for 60-90 min at speeds of 32-43 m/min on a level treadmill, 5 animals performed 3 runs at 10.8, 21.6, 32.4 and 42.6 m/min assigned in random order. In a 2nd experimental series, 6 animals ran at 16.2 and 32.4 m/min alternately every 30 min for 90 min. Experiments were performed at a room temperature of 22 .+-. 1.degree. C. Colonic (Tco) and tail-skin (Tts) temperatures were monitored continuously. Equilibrium Tco (mean .+-. SD) achieved in the last 30-45 min of exercise at 10.8, 21.6, 32.4 and 42.6 m/min were 39.0 .+-. 0.5, 39.2 .+-. 0.57, 39.5 .+-. 0.57 and 40.0 .+-. 0.55.degree. C, respectively. Mean Tco were significantly different between 42.6 m/min and the other speeds (P < 0.01), and between 32.4 and 10.8 m/min (P < 0.05). Using mean individual data, a proportional trend between colonic temperature and work load was observed in only 2 of the 5 animals. In the 2nd experimental series, mean Tco averaged over the last 15 min of each 30 min work period were not significantly different between the 2 speeds. The rat can achieve thermal balance during exercise, but a proportional relationship between the rise in internal temperature and work load was not reliably demonstrated.

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