Benefits of dietary supplements on the physical fitness of German Shepherd dogs during a drug detection training course

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218275
• Publication Date: 2019-06-14T17:39:31Z
• Authors: Laura Menchetti; Gabriella Guelfi; Roberto Speranza; Pasquale Carotenuto; Livia Moscati; Silvana Diverio
• Keywords: Treadmill

A high standard of physical fitness is an essential characteristic drug detection dogs because it affects not only their ability to sustain activity levels but also attention and olfaction efficiency. Nutritional supplements could improve by modulating energy metabolism, oxidative processes, perceived fatigue. The aim this study was investigate the physiological biochemical changes induced submaximal exercise on (German Shepherd breed) assess whether a dietary supplement improves fitness. During dog training course, seven were fed with basal diet (Control Group) for three-month period, while further as well daily nutritional containing branched-chain limiting amino acids, carnitine, vitamins, octacosanol (Treatment Group). At end individual assessed making each subject take graded treadmill test. human heart rate monitor system used record dog's (HR) during subsequent recovery period. parameters related HR analysed using nonparametric statistics. Blood samples collected before starting treatment, after following recovery. Linear mixed models used. accelerated recovery, demonstrated lower (P<0.05) Time constants decay (P<0.05), higher Absolute Recovered recorded in Treatment group compared Control dogs. supplemented showed lowest concentrations creatine kinase (CK; P<0.001), aspartate aminotransferase (AST, P<0.05) non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA; P<0.01) suggesting reduction muscle damage improvement metabolism. These data suggest that combined can significantly enhance