Sled Dog Research Shows Promise for Canine and Human Athletes
In preliminary research funded by the International Federation of Sled Dog Sports, sled dogs were studied before and after participation in two major long distance competitions, the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest. Both races cover more than a thousand miles.
The study titled "Burned Membrane Syndrome" was conducted by a team with human and animal sports medicine credentials, Dr. Stephen Phinney, Dr. Douglas Bibus, and Dr. Michael Davis.
Based on red blood cell and tissue cell sample analysis, they reported "The findings suggest that prolonged physical activity reduces the essential fatty acid status of canine endurance athletes, highlighting the significance of these nutrients in the diets of performance animals."
The study titled "Burned Membrane Syndrome" was conducted by a team with human and animal sports medicine credentials, Dr. Stephen Phinney, Dr. Douglas Bibus, and Dr. Michael Davis.
Based on red blood cell and tissue cell sample analysis, they reported "The findings suggest that prolonged physical activity reduces the essential fatty acid status of canine endurance athletes, highlighting the significance of these nutrients in the diets of performance animals."
This study represents an important first step in establishing a mechanism for exercise-induced mucosal damage and GI bleeding. Other research has demonstrated that racing sled dogs can be a useful population and valuable model for the study of sports and exercise-associated pathologies such as gastric ulcers and asthma.
For more information or to receive a copy of the final report, contact:
IFSS http://www.sleddogsport.com/
881 County Road 14
Grand Marais, MN 55604 USA
twhite@boreal.org