[Importance of the water regimen for animal growth in increased motor activity].

Growth rate of male rats exposed to intensive physical exercise and the impact of exercise on the muscle system have been studied. To increase the locomotor activity the animals were kept in higher, as compared to the control, cages with the feeding rack attached to the ceiling. A tendency to an increase in body weight and specifically in gastrocnemius was noted. A reduction in water consumption was shown to slow the growth rate of rats in increased locomotor activity, while in low physical activity water shortage exerted but a negligible effect on the animal growth.