Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Heart rate deflection point during incremental test in competitive agility border collies

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Veterinary Research Communications Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine a heart rate deflection point (HRdp) in competitive agility dogs. Fourteen healthy border collies underwent progressive incremental treadmill exercise - modified Conconi test protocol. Heart rate was continuously recorded, and the HRdp was estimated using two methods: subjective and computer aided regression. Maximal heart rate (HRmax), achieved running speed at the anaerobic threshold and at the end of test were also determined. Statistical analysis showed a very high positive correlation between HRdp determined by two methods. The mean HRdp in this research corresponded to 80 % of HRmax. The wide range of individual HRdp (162–229 BPM) indicates the need of an individual approach in assessing physiological parameters. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first application of Conconi modified test for estimating anaerobic threshold in agility dogs since the standard for dogs is yet undetermined. Future studies need to detect the most appropriate and reliable technique for its determination as well as its applicability in programming of the optimal training intensity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baltzer WI, Firshman AM, Stang B, Warnock JJ, Gorman E, Mckenzie EC (2012) The effect of agility exercise on eicosanoid excretion, oxidant status, and plasma lactate in dogs. BMC Vet Res 8

  • Bodner M, Rhodes E (2000) A review of the concept of the heart rate deflection point. Sports Med 30:31–46

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Conconi F, Ferrari M, Ziglio PG, Droghetti P, Codeca L (1982) Determination of the anaerobic threshold by a non-invasive field test in runners. J Appl Physiol 52:869–873

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Conconi F, Grazzi G, Casoni I, Guglielmini C, Borsetto C, Ballarin E, Manfredini F (1996) The Conconi test, methodology after 12 years of application. Int J Sports Med 17:509–519

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Constable PD, Hinchcliff KW, Olson J, Hamlin RL (1994) Athletic heart syndrome in dogs competing in a long-distance sled race. J Appl Physiol 76:433–438

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Essner A, Sjöström R, Ahlgren E, Lindmark B (2013) Validity and reliability of Polar® RS800CX heart rate monitor, measuring heart rate in dogs during standing position and at trot on a treadmill. Physiol Behav 114–115:1–5

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Faude O, Kindermann W, Meyer T (2009) Lactate threshold concepts, how valid are they? Sports Med 39:469–490

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ferasin L, Marcora S (2009) Reliability of an incremental exercise test to evaluate acute blood lactate, heart rate and body temperature responses in Labrador retrievers. J Comp Physiol B Biochem Syst Environ Physiol 179:839–845

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grazzi G, Casoni I, Mazzoni G, Uliari S, Conconi F (2005) Protocol for the Conconi test and determination of the heart rate deflection point. Physiol Res 54:473–475

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hofmann P, Pokan R (2010) Value of the application of the heart rate performance curve in sports. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 5:437–447

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ignjatović A, Hofmann P, Radovanović D (2008) Non-invasive determination of the anaerobic threshold based on the heart rate deflection point. Facta Univ Ser Phys Educ Sport 6:1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Ilkiw JE, Davis PE, Church DB (1987) Hematologic, biochemical, blood-gas, and acid–base values in greyhounds before and after exercise. Am J Vet Res 50:583–586

    Google Scholar 

  • Jonckheer-Sheehy VSM, Vinke CM, Ortolani A (2012) Validation of a Polar human heart rate monitor for measuring heart rate and heart rate variability in adult dogs under stationary conditions. J Vet Behav 7:205–212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McGowan CM, Hampson B (2007) Comparative exercise physiology. In: McGowan C, Stubbs N, Goff I (eds) Animal physiotherapy, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of animals. Blackwell Pub, Oxford, pp 56–71

  • Millard R (2013) Exercise physiology of the canine athlete. In: Millis D, Levine D (eds) Canine rehabilitation and physical therapy. Saunders, St. Louis, pp 162–165

    Google Scholar 

  • Palestrini C, Previde EP, Spiezio C, Verga M (2005) Heart rate and behavioral responses of dogs in the Ainsworth’s strange situation, a pilot study. Appl Anim Behav Sci 94:75–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ready AE, Morgan G (1984) The physiological response of Siberian Husky dogs to exercise, effect of interval training. Can Vet J 25:86–91

    PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rovira S, Munoz A, Benito M (2007a) Hematologic and biochemical changes during canine agility competitions. Vet Clin Pathol 36:30–35

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rovira S, Munoz A, Benito M (2007b) Fluid and electrolyte shifts during and after agility competitions in dogs. J Vet Med Sci 69:31–35

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rovira S, Muñoz A, Riber C, Benito M (2010) Heart rate, electrocardiographic parameters and arrhythmias during agility exercises in trained dogs. Rev Méd Vét 161:307–313

    Google Scholar 

  • Sentija D, Vucetic V, Markovic G (2007) Validity of the modified Conconi running test. Int J Sports Med 28:1006–1011

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Staaden R (1989) The exercise physiology of the racing greyhounds. Refresher course for veterinarians. Post Grad Comm Vet Sci Univ Sydney 122:71–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Steiss J, Ahmand HA, Cooper P, Ledford C (2004) Physiological responses in healthy Labrador retrievers during field trail training and competition. J Vet Int Med 18:147–151

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vrbanac Z, Belić M, Škrlin B, Brkljača Bottegaro N, Kolarić D, Capak H, Pugelnik B, Baković M, Stanin D (2011) The effect of moderate treadmill exercise on aerobic capacity in Labrador Retrievers–a preliminary study. 2nd VEPRA Conference Proceedings, 17–18 September, Warsaw, Poland, 69–70

  • Vučetić V (2007) Razlike u pokazateljima energetskih kapaciteta trkača dobivenih različitim protokolima opterećenja. Dissertation, University of Zagreb

  • Wagner JA, Horvath SM, Dahms TE (1977) Cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic adjustments to exercise in dogs. J Appl Physiol 42:403–407

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wasserman K, Beaver WL, Whipp BJ (1990) Gas exchange theory and the lactic acidosis (anaerobic) threshold. Circulation 81:14–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zink CM (2013) What is a canine athlete? In: Van Dyke JB, Zink MC (eds) Canine sports medicine and rehabilitation. Willey-Blackwell, London, pp 1–19

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest

We wish to confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome.

We confirm that the manuscript has been read and approved by all named authors and that there are no other persons who satisfied the criteria for authorship but are not listed.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, Zagreb, Croatia

    Lada Radin, Maja Belić, Nika Brkljača Bottegaro, Hrvoje Hrastić, Marin Torti, Damir Stanin & Zoran Vrbanac

  2. Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Horvaćanski Zavoj 15, Zagreb, Croatia

    Vlatko Vučetić

Authors
  1. Lada Radin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Maja Belić
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Nika Brkljača Bottegaro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Hrvoje Hrastić
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Marin Torti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Vlatko Vučetić
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Damir Stanin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Zoran Vrbanac
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zoran Vrbanac.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Radin, L., Belić, M., Brkljača Bottegaro, N. et al. Heart rate deflection point during incremental test in competitive agility border collies. Vet Res Commun 39, 137–142 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-015-9634-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-015-9634-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation