www.sportsvet.com
Training & Conditioning for
Optimal Canine Performance
Robert L. Gillette, DVM, MSE
Director
Sports Medicine Program
College of Veterinary Medicine
Auburn University
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
It’s The Little Things That Make
A Difference!
• Canine performance made up of multiple
interactions of the body’s various
components.
• If one of the components malfunctions, the
performance as a whole is disrupted.
• The level of this disruption is determined by
the level of performance needed.
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Performance Physiology
The winning dog is the one that
produces and maintains the highest
energy output for the length of
the performance event.
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Performance Overview
Positive Forces
The Goal
Goal Prevention
Maximize Positives
Minimize Negatives
Optimum
Performance
Distractive
Positive Forces
Negative
Distractive
Positive Forces
Negative
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Performance
Conditioning
Training
Nutrition
Optimum
Performance
Injury Types
Injury Prevention
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Performance Basics
•
•
•
•
•
Demands of performance
Dog’s actual ability to perform
Handlers expectations of performance
Personal performance
Comparative performance
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Performance Potential
• A dog’s athletic potential for an event or task, is
based upon the amount of inherited potential with
which it was born.
• Our management program should be designed to
allow the dog to perform at its maximum
potential.
• The performance expectations should not exceed
the dog’s abilities.
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Canine Performance Potential
100
90
80
Percentage
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Companion
Active
Working
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
Competitive
www.sportsvet.com
Comparative Performance
Low
Ability (unused)
Medium
Potential Level
Ability (used)
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
High
www.sportsvet.com
General Comments on Canine
Performance
• Overall Mindset
– Understand the athleticism of the dog
– Understand the fine intricacies of the athlete
• The whole body is involved in performance
• Know the factors that influence ability
• Understand the factors that impede ability
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Body system functions that
support primary function.
•Muscular - Propulsion & Navigation
•Skeletal - Support & Structure
•Nervous - Stimulation & Balance
•Cardiovascular - Cellular Energy & Waste
•Respiratory - O2 & CO2; Thermoregulation
•GI - Energy Production & Waste Removal
•Renal - Fluid Balance & Waste Removal
•Hormonal - Maintains Metabolic Balance
•Skin - Provides Protective Covering
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Optimizing Canine Performance
Factors that Affect Performance
Internal Factors
• Anatomical
• Physiological
• Psychological
External Factors
• Environment
• Dog interaction
• Handler
• Functional Demands
• Design and
Boundaries of Event
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Canine Performance
Impediments
Fatigue
Pain
Conditioning
Structural
Drive
Psychological
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Winning Performance
• To achieve optimum performance we must
provide all the components needed for
maximal output.
• To allow for future performances we must
minimize damage to the body at a cellular
level, a tissue level, and a systemic level.
• We must replenish energy stores in
preparation for next performance.
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Influence of the External Factors
•
•
•
•
•
Environment - Rain, Humidity, Altitude, etc
Dog interaction - Event, Behavioral, Housing
Handler - Training, Emotional, Psychological
Event Demands - Running, Jumping, Obedience
Design and Boundaries of Event - Distance, Time,
Obstacles
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Influences on Internal Factors
Genetics
Training
Medical Care
Conditioning
Nutrition
Internal Factors
of Performance
Anatomy
Physiology
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
Psychology
www.sportsvet.com
Areas of Influence
Energy
Metabolic Enzymes
Waste Removal
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Actin & Myosin Interaction
The basic action of movement
• Calcium opens the
receptor site
• ATP creates actin &
myosin bond producing
ADP + P
• Myosin structure change
provides leverage action
• ADP is released and
combines with P (ATP)
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
Actin
Myosin
www.sportsvet.com
Areas of Metabolic Influence
• Energy
– Needed for daily maintenance
– Needed To perform work or activity
• Metabolic Enzymes
– Break down and transfer stored energy to locations of
function
– Converts energy into function
• Waste Removal
– Waste or byproducts a created during metabolism
– Without removal the process gets backed up and stops
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Energy Contributions During
Exercise
120
100
Immediate
80
Glycolytic
60
Oxidatitive
40
20
0
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
Minutes
2.5
3
3.5
4
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Fat
Utilization
0
5
10
15
Minutes
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
20
25
www.sportsvet.com
Energy Production
Minimize the dips at the energy transfer phases
Immediate Energy Sources
• Stored ATP, CP, & Myokinase
• 5-30 seconds
Glycolytic Energy Production
• Glucose breakdown (Anaerobic)
• 15-30 seconds up to 2 minutes
Oxidative Energy Production
• 2 minutes or more
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Immediate Energy Sources
Intracellular ATP
• Stored Intracellular ATP
Creatine Phosphate (CP)
• Replenishes ATP
Myokinase
Myokinase
ATP + AMP
• ADP + ADP
“Lasts 5 seconds up to 30 seconds”
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Glycolytic Energy Source
•
•
•
•
•
Glucose is made from Carbohydrates
Glucose is broken down to produce ATP
Needs two enzymes
End product is pyruvate
In the absence of O2, pyruvate becomes lactate,
also known as lactic acid
“Lasts 15 - 30 secs up to 2 minutes”
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Oxidative Energy Production
• Fuels energy needed for activity lasting
longer than two minutes
• Krebs Cycle, Fatty Acid Metabolism
• Utilized in endurance activities
• Most affected by training programs
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Energy Reserves
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Genetic Determination
• Activities utilize different energy systems based
upon metabolic demands.
• Dogs are born with certain tendencies towards
metabolic function.
• Greyhounds vs Foxhounds
• Performance is dependent upon the percentage of
the various muscle fiber types.
• Research should be developed to determine the
limiting factors of performance and it’s related
genetic formula.
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Canine Muscle Cell Types
Energy
Source
Force
Slow
Twitch
Aerobic
Low
Fast
Twitch “a”
Aerobic/
Anaerobic
High
High
Low
Fatigue
Resistance
Oxidative Oxidative/
Energy
Glycolytic
system
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
Fast
Twitch“x”
Anaerobic?
High
Low
Glycolytic
www.sportsvet.com
Designing the Proper Nutrition &
Conditioning Program
• Define the type of activity
• Define level of activity
• Understand roles of carbohydrates, proteins,
and fats in energy systems
• Understand functions of vitamins &
minerals
• Design the nutritional program to match the
needs of the work or activity.
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Categories of Activity
• Strength / Power
– Short Duration
• < 2 minutes
• Endurance
– Long Duration
• Longer than 2 minutes
– Performed at maximal
or supramaximal
intensities
– Performed at
intensities less than
90% maximal aerobic
power (VO2 max)
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Maintenance Energy Requirement
• Energy used by a moderately active dog in a
thermoneutral environment.
– MER = 30 kcal/# for a 50# dog.
• Dog hunting for one hour - 1.1 x MER
• Dog hunting for full day - 1.4 - 1.5 x MER
• Sled dog pulling for one day - 2-4 x MER
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Nutrition and Conditioning
• Train metabolic systems to function at
optimum levels during competition
• Adapt body to store energy pools at
locations of need
• Feed nutrients at appropriate times to ensure
maximal energy sources at time of need
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Nutritional Components
Three energy sources used by the body
• Carbohydrates
– pastas, starches, sugars, glucose, etc.
• Proteins
– meats, plants
• Fats
– animal, plant
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Carbohydrates
• Sources include:
– Complex: pastas, breads, rice, potatoes
– Disaccharides (Sugars): sucrose, lactose,
maltose
– Monosaccharides: glucose, galactose, fructose
• Have an energy yield of 3.5 kcal/gram
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Carbohydrate Absorption
Food Carbohydrates
Starch Sucrose Lactose Cellulose
Fructose
Glucose
Galactose
Gastrointestinal Tract
Fructose
Glucose
Galactose
RBC
RBC
Glucose
Fructose
Galactose
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
Cellulose
(Fiber)
www.sportsvet.com
Proteins
• Source for Amino Acids (AA’s)
– Quality proteins provide AA’s used for tissue
repair and enzymes
• Source of energy
– Utilized by the Krebs cycle
– Higher amount of heat produced when
metabolizing protein for energy
• Have an energy yield of 3.6 kcal/gram
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Fats
• Essential for the absorption of the fat
soluble vitamins, A, D, E, & K.
• Metabolic water source
– One of the metabolic side products of fat
metabolism is water.
• Highly digestible and palatable
• Have an energy yield of 8.5 kcal/gram
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Hydration and Nutrition Source
• Carbohydrates
– Produces  55 grams H2O per 100 g burned
• Protein
– Produces  55 grams H2O per 100 g burned
• Fat
– Produces  107 grams H2O per 100 g burned
• Training the metabolism to use fat as an
energy source may benefit the dog’s
hydration status
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Other Supplements
• Vitamin B-Complex: Helps with mental
stress, physical stress, and many other body
functions
• Vitamin E: Works as an anti-oxidant,
combines with the inflammatory by-products
to minimize post-race cellular damage.
• Vitamin A & C: helps with maintaining
muscle cell integrity
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Optimal Performance
Nutrition
• Supplies the energy and other products
needed for performance and basic
metabolism.
• Timing is very important to assure optimum
performance and to minimize tissue damage.
• Water needed for optimum metabolism
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Nutrition and Conditioning
• Train metabolic systems to function at
optimum levels during competition
• Adapt body to store energy pools at
locations of need
• Feed nutrients at appropriate times to ensure
maximal energy sources at time of need
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Water Supplementation
• Water should be given prior to activity.
• Frequent small amounts
• Avoid large intakes of water just prior to an
event.
• Very small amounts can be given during
activity and post-activity.
• Address dehydration without predisposing
the dog to GDV.
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Pre-Activity Supplements
• Carbohydrates given more than 2-6 hours prior
to the activity.
• Vitamin B-complex, & Vitamin E
• Simple CHO’s (glucose, sucrose) less than 15
minutes prior to activity.
• CHO during warm-up results in an increase in
blood glucose.*
*Brouns, F., Rehrer, N.J., Saris, W.H.M., et. al. (1989) Int. J. Sports Med
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Intra-Activity Supplements
• Simple sugars help to delay glycogen
depletion.
• Prevent Hypoglycemia in endurance
activities
• Glucose, Sucrose, Syrup, Nutrical (?)
• Supplements seem to be absorbed
somewhat immediately.
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Post-Activity Supplements
• Most important time for supplementation
• Post-Activity immediate proteins
supplementation has been shown to have an
anabolic affect in the Human.*
• Post-activity immediate glucose
supplementation has shown a more rapid
rate of Muscle Glycogen repletion.**
* Biolo, G., Tipton, K., Klein, S., et.al. (1997) Am J Physiology
** Reynolds, A., Carey, D., Reinhart, G., et.al. (1997) AJVR
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Ingredients for Optimum
Performance
CHO, Vit E
Vit B
6-12
Hours
Preactivity
Glucose
15 min
Activity
P-A
H2O
Protein, Ca, pH,
CHO
1/2 Hr 1 Hour
Post-A Post-A
Time frame of Depressed Immunity
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
2 Hours
Post-A
www.sportsvet.com
Ingredients for Optimum Performance
Sprint or Strength Activities
H2O
CHO, Vit E
Vit B
Activity
6-12 Hours Pr-Activity
Protien, Ca, Ph,
CHO
1/2 Hr 1 Hour
Po-A Po-A
Time frame of Depressed Immunity
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
2 Hours
Po-A
www.sportsvet.com
Athletic Injuries
• Defined as some physical damage causing a
resultant loss of capacity or impairing of
performance.
• The severity of the injury is defined by the
resultant amount of time away from the
activity or “downtime”.
• Dependent upon the type of tissue injured
and the severity of the tissue injury.
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
“Downtime”
Any amount of time away from a conditioning program
will result in at least an equal amount of reconditioning.
• Early problem
recognition will
minimize downtime
• Proper initial treatment
& follow-up therapy
minimizes downtime
• Returning too soon will
lengthen downtime
• Resting too long will
lengthen downtime
** Please don’t just “rest” a dog without determining the
primary cause of the problem.
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Athletic Injury Classification
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Asymptomatic
Symptomatic but performance unaffected
Symptomatic and performance affected
Performance inhibiting
Career ending
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Factors of Athletic Repair
• Type of Tissue
– Muscle, Bone, Ligament, Tendon, or Skin
•
•
•
•
•
Grade of Tissue Damage
Duration of Injury
Prior Performance Level
Future Performance Expectations
Age of Patient
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Goals of Performance Management
• Condition the Musculoskeletal system to
handle the rigors of activity
• Monitor for signs of structural weaknesses
or drop in performance
• Isolate and define the primary problem and
related problems
• Initiate treatment and therapy early to
minimize the effects on body condition
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Goals of Rehabilitation
• Proper procedure to repair damaged tissue.
• Allow for proper healing of the injured
tissue.
• Damaged tissue reconditioning
• General athletic reconditioning
• Athletic training
• Minimize downtime without impairing
tissue healing.
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Clinical Care of the Canine Athlete
• Acknowledge the Athleticism of Patient
• Early diagnose of tissue type and degree of
damage
• Select treatment that best addresses the type
of injury and the athletic demands
• Rehabilitation regimen that minimizes
downtime without delaying tissue healing
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
COG of the Dog
In the dog the COG is just caudal to the scapula
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Supra-Maximal impacts are a
common daily occurrence
Super stresses are applied to the front end
while getting down from a couch or bed, going
down stairs, or walking downhill.
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Minimizing Front End Impact Forces
Uphill activity can be used to minimize
impact forces on the front end while
working the vertebrae and back legs.
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Uphill exercise
Uphill exercise or stair work is a beneficial
component of any rehabilitation or
conditioning program.
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
General Comments on Canine
Performance
• Overall Mindset
– Understand the athleticism of the dog
– Understand the fine intricacies of the athlete
• The whole body is involved in performance
• Know the factors that influence ability
• Understand the factors that impede ability
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Goals of Performance Management
• Condition the Musculoskeletal system to
handle the rigors of activity
• Monitor for signs of structural weaknesses
or drop in performance
• Isolate and define the primary problem and
related problems
• Initiate treatment and therapy early to
minimize the effects on body condition
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
Evaluations
• Dogs should be evaluated by the trainer
every two to three weeks
– Performance, Health, Soundness
• Dogs should examined by a Sports
Medicine Veterinarian two to three times a
year.
– Identifies problems early, Builds personal
metabolic database
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette
www.sportsvet.com
www.SportsVet.com
The website dedicated to Athletic &
Working Dogs
Return to Sportsvet.com Home page
Slides are part of a presentation given
May 20, 2002 by Robert L. Gillette