The Effects of Caloric Density of the Food on Running Endurance and General Condition of Rats and Hamsters Restricted in Food Intake or Fed Ad Libitum
Abstract
Young adult male rats and hamsters, after a treadmill training period, were divided into 6 groups, receiving 20, 40 or 70% dietary fat calories and fed ad libitum or 40% by weight of average ad libitum intake. All animals were run to exhaustion once a week. Increased dietary fat level was not correlated with superior running performance at either food intake level, although during restricted feeding the high fat groups received more calories. Increased running endurance and kgm performance were correlated with lower body weight at both food intake levels. The rate of performance increase with decreasing body weight during food restriction was significantly higher for the low than for the high fat rat group. Water consumption was considerably lower during restricted than during ad libitum feeding. Plasma glucose in the rats was lower for the 70% than for the other fat levels at both levels of food intake, lower from day 8 on during restricted than during ad libitum food intake, and lower on day 15 than on day 8 of the restricted intake. In the hamsters, average plasma triglyceride levels were 76% and plasma total cholesterol levels 22% (significant) higher in non-exercised than in regularly exercised animals right after running to exhaustion.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA014896
Entities
People
- D. Tollenaar
Organizations
- United States Army Soldier Systems Center