Effects of short- and long-term wheel deprivation on running

The effects of wheel deprivation on running were explored. Eight male rats, well habituated to wheels, were each deprived of wheels for periods of 0, 1, 3, and 10 h during the night (Experiment 1) and 0, 1, 3, and 10 days (Ex periment 2). In Experiment 1, as wheel deprivation lengthened, wheel runnin g in the first 24 h of access increased. After 10 days of wheel deprivation subsequent daily running decreased (by 70%), and feeding was suppressed, f or several days. This temporary decline may be due to detraining and the ra ts physical inability to run more. Experiment 3 with 12 rats found that the running increase after 3-h wheel deprivation was proportional to the amoun t of running normally occurring during the deprivation period. Over the sho rt term, running appears to be regulated like other appetitive behaviors. ( C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.