Table 1.

Cohorts and sampling groups. Blood samples from each dog were retrieved prior to the training season (A sample), and after the race (B sample). The dogs were divided in three groups; finishers, withdrawals and non-participants/controls

Blood sampling during training season, fall 2012 (A samples)
Cohort 1 (A1 samples)	Cohort 2 (A2 samples)	Cohort 3 (A3 samples)
In training	In training	In training
n = 25	n = 21	n = 19

Blood sampling after the race, 2013 (B samples)
Cohort 1 (B1 samples)	Cohort 2 (B2 samples)	Cohort 3 (B3 samples)
Finishing dogs	Withdrawn dogs	Non-participating/control dogs