104 Chapter 4

Warming up and warming down

The subject of warming up and down is contentious, and one that some scientific studies have dismissed as unnecessary. Interestingly, top athletes, whether they are runners or team players, always have warming up period as an essential part their routine. Rugby players are now often seen on static bikes, pitch-side, warming up; racehorses are given the opportunity to run before a race; show jumpers, eventers, and dressage competition horses, are all given a practice area in which to warm up, whatever the level of competition. This is generally viewed to be an essential part of any athlete’s programme; unfortunately, there are very few canine shows that involve athleticism, and therefore, the importance of warming up and down is barely considered. Interestingly, the warm-down seems to have more credence and is more widely accepted than the warm-up.

Why warm up?

The warm-up should be a programme of exercises that effectively targets the muscle groups which are to be used. It does not necessarily need to be used just in training, performing, or competition; the concept of a warm-up and warm-down should apply to every exercise situation. It usually consists of dynamic and static elements that will assist the functioning of the soft tissue, so as to maximize the range of movement. It is also psychologically important, as the routine will focus the mind on the task ahead, which is extremely important for a dog.

The physiological benefits of dynamically warming up are, in some cases, open to conjecture. However, any preparatory increase of oxygenation and nutrition from the blood through increased cardiovascular activity is going to promote and prolong muscle function. On a cellular level, if muscle fibres are activated with a moderate approach, the resulting ease of movement is evident.

Therefore, it would be fair to think that the elasticity, stretch, and recoil would all be enhanced. Also, the movement and joint activity of synovial joints will decrease the viscosity of synovial fluid, thereby aiding their smooth function.

The warm-up should take around 10 minutes and consist of gradually increasing cardiorespiratory activities, building up in intensity, speed, and gently progressing movement. Gentle and slow small circling should be introduced, with a gradual increase of circumference, in both directions; tracing out the letter ‘M’ can then be integrated to encourage an even stretch. Lateral movements can be introduced (adduction and abduction) when the dog is warm. Ball throwing should not be introduced until the dog is completely warm, and this should be restricted to one or two throws. Tugging can be introduced, again when the dog is warm, but this exercise should ideally be restricted to a direct pull, as this helps fire the vertebral postural muscles. Violent shaking of the neck should be restricted.

Warm-up (pre-event) massage

This can be an important addition to a dynamic warm-up, but it is not a replacement.

‘The massage techniques l was taught helped prepare my dogs for competition. Particularly at Crufts with Tally, when massaging him in the collecting ring definitely helped us both relax and enhanced the connection between us.’

Tania Bull (see 110)

The warm-up massage produces both quantifiable and unquantifiable results. When a dog is timed on a regular basis for a round, or its mobility is being measured, fine differences can be accounted for. Chance and coincidence can always be a possibility, but when the same results are achieved with the same preparation, they can be believed. However, there are times when a dog seems more focused, and is

more at one with the handler. It is a feeling, rather than something that can be measured. It could even be that by performing a massage there has been a relaxing and focusing effect on both dog and handler − but it can’t be proved.

Pre-event massages can be used in different ways for different activities. For instance, the agility dog needs to be stimulated and alert, whereas an obedience dog needs to be more contained and focused. Similarly, a gundog would need to be continually warmed between drives to maintain optimum muscular efficiency and reduce the risk of injury through cold muscles. The rate of the massage can be adjusted accordingly: the quicker the massage, the more stimulatory it is, as the sympathetic nervous system is being influenced. If a more focused disposition is needed for an event, then the rate can be slower. This is also applicable if a pre-event massage is being introduced earlier into the routine.

In an attempt to demonstrate the difference between a dog that has been

112 The same dog after the same dynamic warm-up followed by a pre-event massage, photographed 20 minutes later.

dynamically warmed and a dog that has been dynamically warmed and then massaged, a heat-sensitive (thermal imaging) camera was used to photograph a dog before (111) and after (112) massage. The massage clearly helped to increase the dog’s temperature.

106 Chapter 4

A warm-up or pre-event massage aims

to:

•Warm superficial tissues by frictional heat and, therefore, to prepare them for activity.

•Warm deeper soft tissue by influencing arterial circulation providing increased oxygen and nutrients.

•Prepare the dog mentally and physically for activity.

•Connect and focus both dog and

handler.

The warm-up or pre-event massage should consist of:

•Effleurage, starting gently and building up slight pressure.

•Petrissage – kneading, compression.

•Cross-fibre techniques.

•Tendon release.

•Tapotment (dependent on the dog).

•Passive movement.

(For explanations of these techniques, see Chapter 6.)

For optimum effect, this massage should be performed between 20 and 40 minutes before an event, working with the dog and gauging the response and respect. If this is incorporated into the whole routine, it will become second nature to both dog and handler, and becomes a good way to prepare, both physically and mentally.

Why warm down?

‘Warming down is preparing the muscles for the next event’.

Galen Therapy Centre

If everyone could view a warm-down and see the way that it can greatly influence a dog’s performance in the next event, everyone would do it. To perform a correct warm-down should leave the athlete (injury aside) with little or no postevent muscular stiffness and a feeling of well-being.

A warm-down, like a warm-up, should be dynamic and, if possible, aided by a specific massage. Dynamically, it should take the form of active but not too vigorous exercise. It is best described as exercise of an even tempo, a comfortable active walk or light jog, enough to promote the pumping mechanism through muscular activity, but not enough to be oxygen-demanding. Gentle flexion and extension of the vertebrae and the limbs maintains the mobility of the joints if there is tissue damage. This exercise should last for about 10 minutes.

Like the warm-up, the warm-down is looking to promote capillary function and the filling of the muscles with arterial blood, by influencing and aiding venous and lymphatic return. During exercise, a vast amount of metabolic activity occurs within the muscle fibres; with the correct rebalancing of oxygenation within the muscle cells, metabolic wastes will be removed effectively (see Chapter 2). Aiding and promoting arterial circulation will assist the delivery of good levels of oxygen and nutrition to the muscle fibres. It will also help to remove lactic acid and aid the repair of microtrauma; furthermore, it will ease pain perception from microtrauma or minor injury through the realignment of muscle fibres.

Warm-down (post-event) massage

This is an important addition to a dynamic warm-up. It provides the handler with the opportunity to detect even a small injury. Its importance cannot be understated, as many muscular problems in the canine athlete are due to untreated injuries. The major ones are obvious, as the dog may be lame, stiff, or unsound. However, it is the minor injuries that can develop unseen and cause future problems.To massage the dog gently will, to a degree, smooth the nerves endings (see Chapter 6 − gate control theory) and, perhaps more importantly, identify areas of inflammation by the presence of heat.

To gain the most lymphatic return, the massage should be directed towards the main lymphatic nodes, rather than using the long, sweeping strokes of the preevent massage.

Possibly one of the most underestimated aspects of a post-event massage is the reinforcing of connections between dog and handler. This can make a massive psychological difference to the dog’s outlook and memory of the event. If the competition has gone badly, this is often due to handler error; however, the dog will pick up negativity, regarding any problems as being of their own doing. For most dogs, it is a heinous crime to cause a vulnerability to the pack, and they may see the situation this way. Therefore, the one-to-one massage can reinforce the bond between handler and dog. Through eye contact and touch, the dog receives signals that all is well. For a dog to have good memories of a competition, whatever the result, will bode well for subsequent events.

A post-event massage aims to:

•Get hands-on awareness of possible injury.

•Cleanse and re-oxygenate muscle fibres.

•Influence flow of arterial blood to assist with microtrauma repair.

•Realign muscle fibres to help with muscle function.

•Reinforce the connections between dog and handler.

Even if there is no perceptible injury,

post-event massage must be performed gently and sympathetically, with the understanding that there could be areas of tenderness and soreness that are almost imperceptible to the handler. Therefore, this massage could consist only of a moderate effleurage with no other techniques involved. The rule is that if there is any question of there being an injury, this should not be performed. If there is a possibility of an injury, or if the dog is clearly lame, then massage should

not be performed, because if there is intraor intermuscular bleeding, more damage can be done; veterinary assistance must be obtained.

The warm-down (post-event) massage should consist of:

•Hand placement over the dog to isolate areas of heat or inflammation. If there is heat, massage should not be performed of the area and appropriate cold therapy should be applied.

•Gentle effleurage, directing the strokes towards the main areas of lymphatic drainage.

•Depending on the dog’s condition, effleurage with slightly increased pressure.

•Compression techniques.

•Effleurage.

•Gentle cross-fibre technique.

•Tendon-release massage.

•Effleurage.

•Passive movement.

(For explanations of these techniques, see Chapter 6.)

Ideally, this should be done not later than 4 hours after exercise. This is not in any way prescriptive, and care must be taken at all times, as areas with fractured or damaged cells can be worsened by inappropriate massage techniques. Like the pre-event massage, to perform this 48 hours later will assist any cellular repair and fibre realignment, and also alert the handler to any persistent inflammation that should receive veterinary advice.

Additional information for handlers of sporting dogs

•If time elapses between classes, events, or drives, another warm-up is required; do not let dogs get cold between disciplines.

•With high impact and dynamic sports, it is a good idea to get someone to film your rounds in order to witness any incident, so that the treatment of any accident or injury can be more targeted.