Weighted Leg Cuffs versus Weighted Vests as Tools of Loaded Resistance Exercise for Canines

Author Background & Conflict of Interest Disclosure

The author is a practicing physician, actively competes in competive IGP dogsport, holds a multiple country patent on a version of canine weighted leg cuffs and also manufactures and sells weighted leg cuffs to competitive dog handlers world-wide.

The goal of creating a simple universal tool to achieve canine physical conditioning and fitness has been pursued for many years. Weighted leg cuffs have been used by veterinary rehab centers in Europe and Sweden for the structured recovery of power and mobility in dogs after TPLO and other orthopedic surgery with great success. In the US both weighted leg cuffs and weighted vests have grown in popularity in recent years.

Weighted leg cuffs have been used in high level competition dogs (the dogs in the US teams competing at the WUSV & FCI have used this; as well as several world class competitive dogs from other countries).

Weighted vests have been used to a larger degree by everyday pet owners and to a large part by non-competitive dog trainers. Both weighted cuffs and weighted vests have ardent supporters and detractors of their use.

By contrast critics of weighted resistance exercise have held to the position that ALL USE of weighted loads as a form of resistance exercise in canines should be avoided (except by highly trained professionals) and have instead focused on the promotion of gravity & body weight based resistance exercise as methods of canine conditioning. The arguments presented by these critics are based on the need for some degree of training and skill to safely exercise a high drive canine with wearable weights and the very low prevalence of skilled dog handling or training expertise in the general population even after training is given. Other arguments include observations of poor owner compliance with instructions and anthropomorphized notions of animal care and handling that lend to owner behaviors where dogs are treated not as canines but as “fur babies” and mini humans.

Reliable studies on weighted vests as well as weighted leg cuffs have also been lacking so far, therefore the arguments of both camps have not been coherently examined. This paper is a review of recent literature that brings up new data to clarify ambiguities in this area of public value and importance.

According to the manufacturer of one type of weighted leg cuff (ActoBands, ActivPower Inc.), the use of weighted leg cuffs by non-professionals is reserved for dogs and use scenarios that must meet the following criteria:

1. Dog should have no obesity
2. Dog should have no injury or joint dysplasia
3. Dog should have no Cardio-pulmonary disease
4. Exercise should be restricted to leashed walk only
5. Exercise should be restricted to duration of 10-15 minutes
6. Weights should not exceed 1-3 grams per kilogram body weight per leg
7. Veterinary approval of training program is recommended
8. Escalation of exercise intensity and loads is distributed in 2-3 week increments over 12-16 weeks

ReDog Swedish Study on Weighted Leg Cuffs

As mentioned earlier, there is a dearth of well-designed studies examining the use of weighted leg cuffs as a resistance training tool in dogs. Weighted leg cuffs however has been used by veterinary rehabilitation professionals in Sweden and Europe for the recovery and strength building of canines with muscle mass loss after prolonged immobilization after orthopedic surgery like TPLO for the repair of CCL rupture. The author reached out to the largest veterinary rehabilitation clinic in Sweden requesting them to provide any data on studies performed by them on the use of this tool. ReDog, Sweden was generous enough to share the manuscript of a paper written by one of their fellows on the use of weighted leg cuffs in healthy dogs. The entire manuscript of this clinical study was translated from the original Swedish language into English and both versions are attached to this document as Appendix 1 & 2 respectively. The following is a synopsis of the study.

Essentially the Swedish study examined the use of weighted leg cuffs in healthy dogs of several breeds, all 1 year age or older. 13 dogs of the following breeds were studied: Dalmatian (1); GSD (9); GSD/Rottweiller mix (1); Siberian Husky (1); Alaskan Malamute (1)

All dogs were large breed dogs. The control dog was Dog#1 (Dalmatian) who wore leg cuffs without any weights, while the remaining 12 dogs were exercised with weights of different amounts and durations. The youngest dog was 1 year old (Dalmatian) and the oldest dog was 8-year-old (GSD). The duration of the study was 30 days and measurements were taken on Day 1, Day 15 and Day 30 as follows:

1. The range of motion (flexion and extension) in the knee joint, the hip joint and the elbow joint checked with a goniometer.
2. Muscle mass was measured with an ordinary tape measure at:
   • Thigh muscle (Trochanter major/lateral patella)
   • Calf muscle (Distal crest tibia)
   • Upper leg muscle (Proximal armpit)
   • Lower leg muscle (Pisiform bone/dorsal olecranon)
3. A motion analysis was performed according to a fixed model on all dogs:
   • Standing
   • Sitting
   • Lying
   • From the front and rear (walking ordinarily and walking slowly)
   • From the side (walking ordinarily and walking slowly)

All 13 dogs were trained with a specific weight and for a specific time. See Appendix 1 in the study. (A control dog (Dog 1) wore empty weight cuffs.). The dogs were be trained/loaded in a controlled manner by keeping the dog on a leash. The dogs were be warmed up for 10 minutes before the cuffs were applied. After the training, the dogs were cooled down for five minutes before stretching the forelegs and hind legs.

The exercise schedule was:

Swedish Study Conclusions

The Swedish study on weighted leg cuffs in healthy dogs showed a clear improvement in the movement pattern with increased range of motion and increased muscle mass in the dogs.

1. The motion analysis showed the dogs to have developed a more deliberate lowering of their paws and have thus improved their movement pattern.
2. The dogs that were amblers have walked normally through the use of weight cuffs.
3. The study also showed that the dogs that were uneven in musculature evened out their muscle mass.
4. There was no great difference in the amount of improvement between the various breeds in the study (all breeds improved uniformly)
5. The dogs that according to their owners were the least active, improved the most in range of motion and muscle mass. The dogs that were more active in winter improved in range of motion but less so in muscle mass.
6. Two dogs (Dogs 7 and 8) did not improved at all in muscle mass but did improve in range of motion. This may be because these dogs were trained the entire winter in (weight) pulling.
7. The control dog (Dog 1) that wore empty weight cuffs improved only in range of motion. This confirms the theory that if the goal is to build muscles in the dog, then the dog should be loaded with weights in the cuffs. If the goal is to improve the movement pattern, then using empty cuffs works.
8. The (training) setup with alternating the training with weight cuffs on front and hind legs (in order) to allow the muscles to recover between the training sessions, produced a very good result. Through the adaptation of the muscles to the training time and to the increased load, (as well as the rest time) the muscles developed in succession.

Additional Published Mention of Weighted Cuffs

Data Regarding Vest

Background

Weighted vests have been marketed as a convenient exercise tool for all dogs regardless of breed or size or fitness level. These weighted vests have been promoted as an effective solution to canine obesity. Owners were not required to undergo any learning other than that they had to snap on these vests and go for a hike, which presented the advantage of easy conflict free acceptance of the tool by the owners. Based on social media posts by owners of weighted vests, these vests have been used for extended hikes spanning hours over all forms of terrain in dogs of all ages ranging from skeletally immature dogs of 6 months age to senior dogs of 9 years age.

Veterinary Expert Opinion

Veterinary experts board certified in veterinary rehab and/or veterinary orthopedics have however maintained that loading weighted vests onto the back of a canine is damaging for the following reasons:

1. Alteration of the load bearing characteristics of the canine spine.
2. Alteration of and interference with the natural flex and extend of the canine spine that allows the transmission of the thrust forces generated by the rear limbs towards the forward propulsion
3. Increased impact stresses of the weights on the large joints of the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees of the dog….

Evidence of Alteration of Gait and Truncal Movement by Non-Weighted Vests

PAPER 1: Dr.’s Timothy L. Foutz PhD & Steven C. Budsberg DVM, MS (School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering (Foutz), and the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine (Budsberg), University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602. Address correspondence to Dr. Budsberg : Budsberg@uga.edu) …. in a study titled “Impact of wearing a service vest on three-dimensional truncal motion in dogs” published a well-designed and executed study that addressed Item 1 & 2 of the 3 limitations that have been cited by Board Certified Rehab Vets and Veterinary Orthopedicians as negatives of the use of vests.

The full paper may be downloaded from the link below: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ikH8OKX5ITS9SuzWo8TU-YcwAz9dLr6/view

Essentially Foutz and Budsberg demonstrated significant alteration and restriction in gait, limb movement and truncal movement with either a service dog vest OR the military style tactical vest even when there were no additional weights added to these vests.

Data Regarding the Effect of Higher Impact Loads on Canine Large Bone Joints: Damaging Effect of Excess Weight on Canine Joints

PAPER 2: Several research studies have documented that excess weight in dogs due to obesity results in accelerated arthritis and degenerative damage to large joints of shoulder, elbows, hips and knees…. there are many studies in this area, but I will cite an authoritative review that establishes both the direct link between excess weight and arthritis but also how the reduction of excess weight results in improvement in arthritic symptoms even in established cases of canine arthritis…. https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.3415/VCOT-08-08-0069

PAPER 3: Advances in the Canine Cranial Cruciate Ligament edited by Peter Muir…. A book in the Advances in Veterinary Surgery series which presents a state-of-the-art summary of current knowledge on cruciate rupture, and written by leading specialists, edited by a highly respected veterinary orthopedic surgeon and researcher, has a chapter on the medical management of canine arthritis involving the stifle (knee) wherein Dr’s Jaeger & Budsberg write: “The importance of weight management in the prevention and treatment of OA (osteoarthritis) cannot be overestimated.” https://books.google.com/books?id=7KORE3PXXYC&pg=PA241

PAPER 4: OWNERS REGULARLY BELIEVE THEIR DOGS ARE NOT OVERWEIGHT EVEN WHEN SPECIFICALLY TOLD SO BY VETS: Ordinary pet owners have been shown to have unrealistic and erroneous notions about the level of fitness possessed by their dogs and evidence has repeatedly shown cognitive resistance to recognizing the limitations of their dogs physical capacity.

Canine obesity: is there a difference between veterinarian and owner perception? https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1748-5827.2011.01138.x

PAPER 5: EXCESS NUTRITION RATHER THAN INSUFFICIENT EXERCISE IS THE DOMINANT CAUSE OF OBESITY AND OVERWEIGHT: Proponents of canine weighted vests have claimed that the use of weighted vests is valuable in the fight against canine obesity by promoting exercise. However, examination of evidence shows that excess nutrition and quality of nutrition are the major drivers in canine obesity rather than primary lack of exercise. While veterinary experts agree that limited exercise does plays a role in both obesity and exercise, the evidence clearly points to the major contribution of nutrition as the driver for both obesity and arthritis and that it is not possible to effect elimination of obesity by exercise alone without addressing excess nutrition. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167587709002402

PAPER 6: INCREASED WEIGHT PRODUCES GREATER IMPACT FORCES IN OBESE DOGS AND THE STRIDE LENGTH OF OBESE DOGS IS SHORTER: Evaluation of gait-related variables in lean and obese dogs at a trot. Robert B. Brady, MS; Alexis N. Sidiropoulos, MS; Hunter J. Bennett, BS; Patrick M. Rider, MS; Denis J. Marcellin-Little, DEDV; Paul DeVita, PhD from Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, College of Health & Human Performance, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858. (Brady, Sidiropoulos, Bennett, Rider, DeVita); Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607. (Marcellin-Little). Presented in part at East Carolina University Research and Creative Achievement Week, Greenville, NC, March 2012, and at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, Gainesville, Fla, August 2012. Address correspondence to Dr. Marcellin-Little (denis_marcellin@ncsu.edu).

Here the authors demonstrate that…

1. Mean stride lengths for forelimbs and hind limbs at both velocities were shorter in obese than in lean dogs.
2. Obese dogs exerted greater peak vertical and horizontal ground reaction forces than did lean dogs.

The authors conclude that …. Greater ROM detected during the stance phase and greater ground reaction forces in the gait of obese dogs, compared with lean dogs, may cause greater compressive forces within joints and could influence the development of osteoarthritis. https://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/10.2460/ajvr.74.5.757

The findings of PAPER 6 is significant when taken from another perspective. As already shown by Foutz & Budsford in Paper 1, non-weighted military style tactical and off the shelf service vests produce significant restrictions in limb and truncal movement and gait alterations. In Paper 6, Brady et al show that obesity itself produces shortening of the gait excursion. The data of Paper 1 and Paper 6 taken together suggests that putting a weighted vest on a non-obese canine may create the same conditions of limited gait excursion and higher peak vertical and horizontal ground reaction forces, and may cause greater compressive forces within joints….. in effect creating the same conditions that exist from a kinesiologic principle as obesity.

Total Weight Loads Used in Weighted Cuffs and Weighted Vests

The Swedish study demonstrated favorable results at 1 gram to 3 grams per kilogram of body weight per leg. This formula would mean that a 40-kilogram German Shepherd (88 lbs.) would be loaded with anywhere between 40 grams to 120 grams of weights in each leg cuff. This load translates into 0.1% to 0.3% of total body mass in each leg and a total combined 4-leg load of 0.4% to 1.2% of total body mass on the dog.

By contrast the manufacturer of weighted vests states in the FAQ on their website that the vests are designed to add 7-10% of the total body mass onto the dog’s spine and shoulders. This loading formula would mean that a 40-kilogram German Shepherd (88 lbs.) would carry a load of anywhere between 2.8 kilograms (6.16 lbs.) to 4 kilograms (8.8 lbs.) on their backs. The manufacturer also notes that some users have loaded the vests with weights up to 5 times the above loads (35-50% of total body mass). The manufacturer’s website does not indicate whether these higher loads are undesirable neither does it carry any further guidance on any regimen of how these loads are to used or whether any activities are to be restricted.

Based on the documented posts of users of weighted vests in social media, it appears that dogs are wearing loaded vests for durations of hikes spanning 1-2 hours over varied terrain as well as running and jumping over obstacles of varied heights (Social media accounts, pictures and videos).

All of this is not to state that weighted vests are absolutely damaging in all cases. There is a role for the carefully selected and carefully supervised use of weighted vests at much lower loads (not exceeding 2-3% of total body mass) in dogs that have already been trained to high levels of physical fitness, and even in those cases the use is highly restricted by top canine competitors to short periods (1-5 minutes) of tightly controlled activity. However, there is a huge difference in the loads of 0.1-0.3% of body mass per leg (0.4-1.2% total body mass) used in weighted leg cuffs for controlled leash walks of 10-15 minutes duration as reported in the Swedish study, compared to the loads of 7% to 50% total body mass reported by the users of weighted vests at uncontrolled pace of activity for extended durations of time. By all measures of data collection, it appears that the current use of weighted vest in the public is unrestricted, unselected, poorly supervised, and that actual use case scenarios contravene established evidence showing the damaging effects of these kind of loads on the canine musculoskeletal architecture.

In conclusion, there is an abundance of evidence that the present manner by which weighted vests are being used runs counter to establish evidence for the safe performance of canine resistance activity, by contract the available evidence for weighted cuffs demonstrate the use of fractional loads for controlled short durations of time at paces that are low impact and similarly controlled along with evidence of measurable increments in muscle mass and limb excursion without compromise of animal health or safety.

Appendix — ReDog Sweden Study

WEIGHT CUFFS · 2011 PROJECT WORK
By: Britta Agardh

Background

Weight cuffs are used in both rehabilitation and preventive health care to strengthen a dog’s leg movements and musculature. The training also results in stable movement and increased muscle activity. Weight cuffs are also used on dogs with a neurologically-impaired placement ability, as they provide the dog increased movement control. Training with weight cuffs results in increased leg strength, for example with hip joint problems and weak leg musculature. Weights are applied in sewn-in side pockets. When training the musculature in the dog’s hind legs, the leg cuffs are placed above the hock joint with the pockets facing out from the dog. When training the dog’s forelegs, the leg cuffs are placed above the dog’s wrist. In order for the dog to control its training in a balanced way, leg cuffs are used in pairs between the legs.

Discussion of Problem

Problems arose when the dogs were to be loaded with greater weights, as the weights did not fit in the weight cuffs. This was solved by using lead weights that were weighed on an ordinary kitchen scale. One dog met the inclusion criteria but could not be handled for measurement of the range of motion. The dog was included in this study and displayed very fine results in muscle mass and in the motion analysis. The margin of error in the measurement with the goniometer and with the tape measure was minimized by my measuring all the dogs. Unfortunately, German Shepherd Dogs were overrepresented in the study, as these are the most common working dogs (for police/military/SAR). Because of a lack of time and work schedule, these dogs were included in the study.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to learn how dogs are affected by training with weight cuffs for 30 days. I have chosen to study weight cuffs as a complement to preventive health care on healthy dogs. I want to know what happens with the muscle mass, range of motion and motion pattern on the dogs.

Hypothesis

All dogs will develop greater range of motion and improve musculature, as well as improving their motion pattern, through training with weight cuffs. By increasing the weight in the cuffs and the load time, quick results will be obtained.

Exclusion Criteria

Undiagnosed dogs with motion disorders. Dogs under 12 months of age.

Method

I will study dogs of various breeds and ages for a total of 30 days. I will make three measurements: Day 1, Day 15 and Day 30. With these measurements, the range of motion (flexion and extension) in the knee joint, the hip joint and the elbow joint will be checked with a goniometer. Muscle mass is measured with an ordinary tape measure at:

• Thigh muscle (Trochanter major/lateral patella)
• Calf muscle (Distal crest tibia)
• Upper leg muscle (Proximal armpit)
• Lower leg muscle (Pisiform bone/dorsal olecranon)

A motion analysis will be performed according to a fixed model on all dogs: Standing; Sitting; Lying; From the front and rear (walking ordinarily and walking slowly); From the side (walking ordinarily and walking slowly). All 13 dogs will be trained with a specific weight and for a specific time. See Appendix 1. (A control dog (Dog 1) will wear empty weight cuffs.)

The dogs will be trained/loaded in a controlled manner by keeping the dog on a leash. The dogs will be warmed up for 10 minutes before the cuffs are applied. After the training, the dogs will be cooled down for five minutes before stretching the forelegs and hind legs. These exercises are shown to the dog owner at the first measurement. The dog owners were given information regarding assessing the dog after rest and immediately interrupting the training of the dog in the event of abnormalities in the dog.

Results

Maddox — Dog 1

Breed: Dalmatian · Age: 1 year · Control dog

Viggo — Dog 2

Breed: German Shepherd · Age: 4 years · Other: Working dog (Police/military/SAR)

Cke — Dog 3

Breed: German Shepherd · Age: 5 years · Other: Working dog (Police/military/SAR)

KYRO — Dog 4

Breed: German Shepherd · Age: 8 years · Other: Working dog (Police/military/SAR)

Ozzy — Dog 5

Breed: German Shepherd · Age: 7 years · Other: Retired working dog (Police/military/SAR)

Trixa — Dog 6

Breed: German Shepherd · Age: 4 years · Other: Working dog (Police/military/SAR)

Ymer — Dog 7

Breed: German Shepherd · Age: 3 years · Other: Working dog (Police/military/SAR)

Zack — Dog 8

Breed: Siberian Husky · Age: 2 years

Classe — Dog 9

Breed: German Shepherd · Age: 4 years · Other: Working dog (Police/military/SAR)

Gino — Dog 10

Breed: German Shepherd · Age: 5 years · Other: Working dog (Police/military/SAR)

NOT PERFORMED. THE DOG CANNOT BE HANDLED!

Benina — Dog 11

Breed: German Shepherd · Age: 6 years · Other: Retired working dog (Police/military/SAR)

Sandi — Dog 12

Breed: German Shepherd · Age: 4 years · Other: Working dog (Police/military/SAR)

Rappy — Dog 13

Breed: Malamute · Age: 4 years

Conclusions

The study showed a clear improvement in the movement pattern with increased range of motion and increased muscle mass in the dogs. The motion analysis shows the dogs have developed a more deliberate lowering of their paws and have thus improved their movement pattern. The dogs that were amblers have walked normally through the use of weight cuffs. The study also showed that the dogs that were uneven in musculature have evened out their muscle mass. I could not see any great difference in the improvement of the various breeds in the study. 1 Dalmatian, 1 Siberian Husky, 1 Malamute, 1 German Shepherd Dog/Rottweiler, 9 German Shepherd Dog. The dogs that according to their owners have been the least active have improved the most in range of motion and muscle mass. The dogs that were more active in winter have improved in range of motion but less in muscle mass. Two dogs (Dogs 7 and 8) have not improved at all in muscle mass but did improve in range of motion. This may be because these dogs were trained the entire winter in pulling.

As two dogs did not improve in muscle mass, my hypothesis cannot be confirmed. All dogs did not improve in muscle mass and range of motion. The control dog (Dog 1) that wore empty weight cuffs improved only in range of motion. This confirms the theory that if the goal is to build muscles in the dog, then the dog should be loaded with weights in the cuffs. If the goal is to improve the movement pattern, then using empty cuffs works.

Despite this, the setup with alternating the training with weight cuffs on front and hind legs was to allow the muscles to recover between the training sessions, and this produced a very good result. Through the adaptation of the muscles to the training time and to the increased load, the muscles developed in succession. I have begun a new 90-day study in which the differences are a smaller load (2X) and a longer load time (10-30 minutes), and nearly all dogs that participated in this 30-day study will assist in that one. I have also begun a study of working dogs, also 90 days in length. These dogs will be trained with weight cuffs only during the sessions when they are working. The reason for this is that these dogs usually are not trained while they work but only when they have days off. The objective with training the dogs with weight cuffs on the job is to even out the training and thus train in a way that prevents injuries.

When the dogs were measured, the owners were very pleased with the result. Most of them will continue to make use of weight cuffs after the conclusion of the study.

Appendix 1

Week 1, dog’s weight 1x X kg = 1X grams in weight cuffs — Day 1: 5 minutes with weight cuffs, forelegs; Day 2: 5 minutes with weight cuffs, hind legs; Day 3: 10 minutes with weight cuffs, forelegs; Day 4: 10 minutes with weight cuffs, hind legs; Day 5: 15 minutes with weight cuffs, forelegs; Day 6: 15 minutes with weight cuffs, hind legs; Day 7: Rest.

Week 2, dog’s weight 2x X kg = 2X grams in weight cuffs — Day 1: 5 minutes with weight cuffs, forelegs; Day 2: 5 minutes with weight cuffs, hind legs; Day 3: 10 minutes with weight cuffs, forelegs; Day 4: 10 minutes with weight cuffs, hind legs; Day 5: 15 minutes with weight cuffs, forelegs; Day 6: 15 minutes with weight cuffs, hind legs; Day 7: Rest.

Week 3, dog’s weight 3x X kg = 3X grams in weight cuffs — Day 1: 5 minutes with weight cuffs, forelegs; Day 2: 5 minutes with weight cuffs, hind legs; Day 3: 10 minutes with weight cuffs, forelegs; Day 4: 10 minutes with weight cuffs, hind legs; Day 5: 15 minutes with weight cuffs, forelegs; Day 6: 15 minutes with weight cuffs, hind legs; Day 7: Rest.

Week 4, dog’s weight 4x X kg = 4X grams in weight cuffs — Day 1: 5 minutes with weight cuffs, forelegs; Day 2: 5 minutes with weight cuffs, hind legs; Day 3: 10 minutes with weight cuffs, forelegs; Day 4: 10 minutes with weight cuffs, hind legs; Day 5: 15 minutes with weight cuffs, forelegs; Day 6: 15 minutes with weight cuffs, hind legs; Day 7: Rest.