Metabolic responses associated with deer hunting

Purpose: Deer bunting is a popular recreational activity with a high rate o f cardiovascular events. previous studies have demonstrated large HR respon ses during deer hunting. This study compared the HR and metabolic costs of maximal treadmill (TM) exercise with those of hiking while deer hunting and while dragging a deer. Methods: Healthy male volunteers (N = 16) performed a maximal TM exercise test, a 0.8-km hiking test, and a 0.4-km dragging te st over lightly rolling terrain. (V)over dotO(2) was measured by portable s pirometry and HR by radiotelemetry. Results: HR averaged 74.0 +/- 7.0% and 89.1 +/- 4.5% of peak TM HR during the hike and drag, respectively. The pea k HR observed during hiking and dragging was 83.2 +/- 6.0% and 94.9 +/- 4.2 % of peak TM HR, respectively. (V)over dotO(2) averaged 62.2 +/- 15.8% and achieved a peak of 77.2 +/- 19.0% of TM (V)over dotO(2) while hiking. This corresponded to 86.8 +/- 17.3% and 108.1 +/- 22.3% of ventilatory threshold (VT), respectively. (V)over dotO(2) averaged 72.3 +/- 21.0% and achieved a peak of 91.2 +/- 21.4% of peak TM (V)over dotO(2) while dragging the deer. This corresponded to 101.5 +/- 27.7% and 128.5 +/- 26.8% of VT, respective ly. The (V)over dotO(2)/HR relationship showed significant (P < 0.05) diffe rence between the dragging test and the TM test with a disproportionately h igh HR. The (V)over dotO(2)/HR relationship between the hiking and TM tests was comparable. Conclusion: In part, the previously described large HR res ponses and high rate of cardiovascular complications associated with deer h unting may attributable to the elevated metabolic costs of associated activ ities.