Effect of nutrient supplements during work on performance capacity in dogs

¹ Nutrition Branch, Quartermaster Food and Container Institute for the Armed Forces, Chicago, Illinois

The effect of consuming fluid supplements during work on maximum performance capacity has been examined in the dog. Within the range of 0–1.6 1. of water, maximum work energy expenditure was a positive function of the fluid intake. Intake of water in excess of 2 l. did not further increase work capability. Additional tests were undertaken to study the effect of nutrient supplementation during work on performance capacity. Whole milk with added copper and iron was used as the control to study the comparative effect on performance of providing either no supplement, water, or separately pure solutions of lactalbumin, glucose, phospholipids, or water-soluble vitamins (exclusive of ascorbic acid. Consumption of milk, vitamins, and phospholipids led to a significant reduction (–54%) in work capability. The intake of glucose or protein was neither beneficial nor detrimental. The cardiorespiratory responses and blood chemistry changes were for the most part unrelated to variations in performance.