大强度耐力运动抑制骨骼肌线粒体的生物合成

背景：耐力运动对骨骼肌线粒体生成影响的研究多采用中小强度,长期大强度对其有何影响还不清楚,这种影响是否涉及5’-一磷酸腺苷激活的蛋白激酶(AMPK)、沉默信息调节因子2相关酶1(SIRT1)等调节线粒体生成的信号分子也未见报道。 目的：观察AMPK/SIRT1信号级联在7周不同强度耐力运动中对骨骼肌线粒体生物合成的影响。 方法：42只雄性SD大鼠分为安静组、中等强度运动组和大强度运动组。运动负荷为中等强度组28 m/min,60 min/d、大强度组38 m/min,60 min/d,每周运动5 d,休息2 d,共7周。运动组动物分别在运动后即刻、6 h和24 h取材。荧光定量PCR检测骨骼肌PGC-1α 、SIRT1基因表达,Western blot测定P-AMPK、SIRT1蛋白表达。 结果与结论：①中等强度运动后即刻、6 h、24 h,骨骼肌PGC-1α mRNA表达分别为安静组的362%(P < 0.01)、657%(P < 0.01)、116%,P-AMPK蛋白表达分别为安静组的112%、163%(P < 0.05)、129%(P < 0.05),SIRT1蛋白和mRNA表达分别为安静组的55%(P < 0.05)、86%、103%和109%、155%(P < 0.05)、132%(P < 0.05)。②大强度运动后即刻、6 h、24 h,骨骼肌PGC-1α mRNA表达分别为安静组的274%(P < 0.01)、130%(P < 0.05)、68%(P < 0.05),P-AMPK蛋白表达分别为安静组的235%(P < 0.01)、166%(P < 0.05)、160%(P < 0.05),SIRT1蛋白和mRNA表达分别为安静组的199%(P < 0.01)、166%(P < 0.05)、164%(P < 0.05)和255%(P < 0.01)、292%(P < 0.01)、122%。结果表明：①7周中等强度耐力运动显著增加骨骼肌PGC-1α基因表达,其机制可能涉及AMPK/SIRT1信号级联。②7周大强度耐力运动造成骨骼肌PGC-1α基因表达在运动后24 h时被抑制,这一过程是以非AMPK/SIRT1信号级联依赖性方式进行的。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程     

Effect of various types of acute exercise and exercise training on the insulin sensitivity of rat soleus muscle measured in vitro

Effects of acute exercise varying in duration and intensity, as well as of two training regimes (endurance and sprint training) on the sensitivity of the soleus muscle of rat to insulin was measured in vitro and compared in rats. As an index of the muscle insulin sensitivity the hormone concentration in the incubation medium which would produce half maximum stimulation of lactate production (LA) and glycogen synthesis was determined. A single bout of moderate endurance exercise (60 min treadmill running at 20 m×min^–1, 0° inclination) increased the rate of LA production at the hormone concentrations used and increased the sensitivity of the process to insulin at 0.25 and 2 h but not 24 h after termination of exercise. Similar though less pronounced effects were found after heavy endurance exercise (30 min at 25 m×min^–1, 10°), but sprint exercise (6×10 s bouts at 43 m×min^–1, 0°) had no influence on the insulin sensitivity of the soleus muscle. The rate of glycogen synthesis in vitro was accelerated after endurance exercise, but the sensitivity of this process to insulin was unaffected by the preceding exercise. Endurance training for 5 weeks caused marked enhancement of sensitivity of both LA production and glycogen synthesis to insulin, which persisted for at least 48 h after the last training session. No changes in the soleus muscle sensitivity to insulin were found after sprint training. It is concluded that the increased insulin sensitivity of glucose utilization by skeletal muscle which occurs after endurance exercise and particularly during endurance training can substantially contribute to improved carbohydrate tolerance. Sprint exercise does not produce any changes in muscle insulin sensitivity, at least in the soleus muscle of the rat.Dedicated to the late Professor Stanislaw Kozlowski     

Changes in onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) and muscle enzymes after training at OBLA

Summary Eight well-trained middle and long distance male runners added to their regular training program a weekly 20-min treadmill run at a velocity calculated to elicit a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol×1^–1. O₂ max, the running velocity eliciting 4 mmol×1^–1 blood lactate (V _OBLA), and the activities of citrate synthase (CS), phosphofructokinase (PFK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and LDH isozymes in the M. vastus lateralis were determined before and after 14 weeks of this training. Significant increases were observed in V _OBLA and the relative fraction of heart-specific LDH, while the activity of PFK and the ratio of PFK/CS decreased after training. The change in V _OBLA was negatively correlated to the mean rate of blood lactate accumulation during the last 15 min of the treadmill training runs, and positively correlated to the percentage of slow twitch fibers in the M. vastus lateralis. The data support the hypothesis that a steady state training intensity which approximates V _OBLA will increase V _OBLA, and will result in measureable local metabolic adaptations in the active skeletal muscles of well-trained runners without a significant change in maximal aerobic power. Muscle fiber type composition may be an indicator of the trainability of the musculature.Supported in part by grants from the Research Council of the Swedish Sports Federation and the Swedish Armed Forces Enrolment Board     

Effect of endurance and sprint exercise on the sensitivity of glucose metabolism to insulin in the epitrochlearis muscle of sedentary and trained rats

Summary The effects of two types of acute exercise (1 h treadmill running at 20 m· min^–1, or 6 × 10-s periods at 43 m · min^–1, 0° inclination), as well as two training regimes (endurance and sprint) on the sensitivity of epitrochlearis muscle [fast twitch (FT) fibres] to insulin were measured in vitro in rats. The hormone concentration in the incubation medium producing the half maximal stimulation of lactate (la) production and glycogen synthesis was determined and used as an index of the muscle insulin sensitivity. A single period of moderate endurance as well as the sprint-type exercise increased the sensitivity of la production to insulin although the rate of la production enhanced markedly only after sprint exercise at 10 and 100 U· ml^–1 of insulin. These effects persisted for up to 2 h after the termination of exercise. Both types of exercise significantly decreased the muscle glycogen content, causing a moderate enhancement in the insulin-stimulated rates of glycogen synthesis in vitro for up to 2 h after exercise. However, a significant increase in the sensitivity of this process to insulin was found only in the muscle removed 0.25 h after the sprint effort. Training of the sprint and endurance types increased insulin-stimulated rates of glycolysis 24 h after the last period of exercise. The sensitivity of this process to insulin was also increased at this instant. Both types of training increased the basal and maximal rates of glycogen snythesis, as well as the sensitivity of this process to insulin at the 24^th following the last training session. It was concluded that in the epitrochlearis muscle, containing mainly FT fibres, both moderate and intensive exercise (acute and repeated) were effective in increasing sensitivity of glucose utilization to insulin. Thus, the response in this muscle type to increased physical activity differs from that reported previously in the soleus muscle, representing the slow-twitch, oxidative fibres in which sprint exercise did not produce any changes in the muscle insulin sensitivity.     

Effects of combined resistance and cardiovascular training on strength, power, muscle cross-sectional area, and endurance markers in middle-aged men

The effects of a 16-week training period (2 days per week) of resistance training alone (upper- and lower-body extremity exercises) (S), endurance training alone (cycling exercise) (E), or combined resistance (once weekly) and endurance (once weekly) training (SE) on muscle mass, maximal strength (1RM) and power of the leg and arm extensor muscles, maximal workload (W_max) and submaximal blood lactate accumulation by using an incremental cycling test were examined in middle-aged men [S, n=11, 43 (2) years; E, n=10, 42 (2) years; SE, n=10, 41 (3) years]. During the early phase of training (from week 0 to week 8), the increase 1RM leg strength was similar in both S (22%) and SE (24%) groups, while the increase at week 16 in S (45%) was larger (P<0.05) than that recorded in SE (37%). During the 16-week training period, the increases in power of the leg extensors at 30% and 45% of 1RM were similar in all groups tested. However, the increases in leg power at the loads of 60% and 70% of 1RM at week 16 in S and SE were larger (P<0.05) than those recorded in E, and the increase in power of the arm extensors was larger (P<0.05) in S than in SE (P<0.05) and E (n.s.). No significant differences were observed in the magnitude of the increases in W_max between E (14%), SE (12%) and E (10%) during the 16-week training period. During the last 8 weeks of training, the increases in W_max in E and SE were greater (P<0.05–0.01) than that observed in S (n.s.). No significant differences between the groups were observed in the training-induced changes in submaximal blood lactate accumulation. Significant decreases (P<0.05–0.01) in average heart rate were observed after 16 weeks of training in 150 W and 180 W in SE and E, whereas no changes were recorded in S. The data indicate that low-frequency combined training of the leg extensors in previously untrained middle-aged men results in a lower maximal leg strength development only after prolonged training, but does not necessarily affect the development of leg muscle power and cardiovascular fitness recorded in the cycling test when compared with either mode of training alone.     

Effects of age and regular exercise on muscle strength and endurance

Summary Twenty male and 20 female non-professional tennis players were classified into two different age groups (n=10 per group): young active men (30.4±3.3 years), young active women (27.5±4.3 years), elderly active men (64.4±3.7 years), and elderly active women (65.3±4.5 years). These individuals were matched (n = 10 per group) according to sex, age, height and mass to sedentary individuals of the same socio-economical background: young sedentary men (29.2±3.4 years), young sedentary women (25.6±4.4 years), elderly sedentary men (65.2 ± 3.2 years) and elderly sedentary women (65.6±4.4 years). An isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure the strength of the knee extensors and flexors (two separate occasions) and the endurance of the extensors. Vastus lateralis electromyogram (EMG) was measured concomitantly. Significant sex, age and exercise effects (P<0.001) were observed for peak torque of both muscle groups. The effect of age on extensor strength was more pronounced at high speeds where men were also able to generate larger relative torques than women.No age or sex effects were noted for muscle endurance. However, muscles of active individuals demonstrated a greater resistance to fatigue than those of sedentary individuals. In conclusion, men were found to be stronger than women, age was associated with a decrease in muscle strength, but not of muscle endurance, and tennis players were stronger and had muscles that were more resistant to fatigue than their sedentary pairs in both age groups. Although the results of this study cannot be generalized to other types of sports activities, they do give credence to the health benefits of moderate exercise in the maintenance of muscle function with age.     

Influences of endurance training on the ultrastructural composition of the different muscle fiber types in humans

To investigate changes in the ultrastructure of the different muscle fiber types induced by endurance training ten sedentary subjects (five women and five men) were exercised on bicycle ergometers 5 times a week for 30 min. After 6 weeks of training there were significant changes in (+14%), in the percentage of type I (+12%) and type IIB fibers (–24%) as well as in the volume densities of mitochondria. The latter increased 35% in type I, 55% in type IIA and 35% in type IIB fibers. The relative increase in subsarcolemmal mitochondria was larger than in interfibrillar mitochondria in all fiber types. There was also a significant increase in the volume density of intracellular lipid in type II fibres. It is concluded that high intensity endurance training leads to an enhancement of the oxidative capacity in all muscle fiber types.     

Paired changes in electromechanical delay and musculo-tendinous stiffness after endurance or plyometric training

When measured in vivo electromechanical delay (EMD) depends mainly on the elastic properties of the muscle–tendon unit. Recent studies have shown changes in stiffness of the triceps surae (TS) following a period of training. To confirm the influence of musculo-tendinous stiffness on EMD, this study investigates paired changes in these two parameters after a training period. Two types of training known to induce opposite changes in stiffness were analysed. EMD and musculo-tendinous stiffness were measured on adult subjects before and after 10 weeks of endurance (n = 21) or plyometric (n = 9) trainings. EMD was defined as the time lag between the TS M-wave latency and the onset of muscle twitch evoked at rest by supramaximal electrical stimulations of the posterior tibial nerve. Quick release tests were used to evaluate the musculo-tendinous stiffness of the ankle plantar flexors. The stiffness index was defined as the slope of the relationship between angular stiffness and external torque values. Endurance training, known to preferentially activate the slow, stiffer muscle fibers, leads to a decrease in EMD and to an increase in stiffness index. Following plyometric training, which specifically recruits fast, more compliant fibers, EMD and the stiffness index exhibited adaptations directionally opposite to those seen with endurance training. When pooling the data for the two subject groups, a correlation was found between changes in EMD and changes in musculo-tendinous stiffness indexes. Thus, changes in EMD values are proposed to indirectly link to changes in musculo-tendinous stiffness for subjects involved in muscle training.     

Neural and muscular changes to detraining after electrostimulation training

We investigated the effects of 4 weeks of detraining subsequent to an 8-week electrostimulation (ES) training program on changes in muscle strength, neural and muscular properties of the knee extensor muscles. Nine male subjects followed the training program consisting of 32 sessions of isometric ES training over an 8-week period. All subjects were tested before and after 8 weeks of ES training, and were then retested after 4 weeks of detraining. Quadriceps muscle anatomical cross-sectional area (ACSA) was assessed by ultrasonography imaging. The electromyographic (EMG) activity and muscle activation (i.e., by means of the twitch interpolation technique) obtained during maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) were used to examine neural adaptations. After training, the knee extensor voluntary torque increased significantly by 26%. Torque gains were accompanied by an increase in vastii EMG activity normalized to respective M-wave (+43%), muscle activation (+6%) and quadriceps ACSA (+6%). After detraining, knee extensor MVC, vastii EMG activity, muscle activation and quadriceps ACSA decreased significantly by 9%, 20%, 5% and 3%, respectively. Also, the knee extensor MVC values remained significantly elevated (14%) above baseline levels at the end of the detraining period and this was associated with a larger quadriceps ACSA (+3%) but not with a higher neural activation. We concluded that the voluntary torque losses observed after detraining could be attributed to both neural and muscular alterations. Muscle size preservation could explain the higher knee extensor MVC values observed after the cessation of training compared to those obtained before training, therefore indicating that muscle size changes are slower than neural drive reduction.     

Modifications of serum glycoproteins the days following a prolonged physical exercise and the influence of physical training

Summary Eight male subjects (mean age 24.1±2.6 years) performed at intervals of 2 weeks successively a 3 h and two 2 h runs of different running speed. The days following the running there were moderate elevations of C-reactive protein, haptoglobin, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, coeruloplasmin, transferrin, alpha-1-antitrypsin and plasminogen. There were small or no changes of albumin, alpha-2-macroglobulin and hemopexin. The elevations of the acute phase reactants were examined in three male subjects following a 2 h run before and after an endurance training period of 9 weeks. This demonstrated a decreased acute phase response after training as illustrated by the changes of C-reactive protein, haptoglobin and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein in spite of higher posttraining running speeds. Well-trained athletes have elevated levels of the serum protease inhibitors alpha-1-antitrypsin, alpha-2-macroglobulin and C₁-inhibitor. These antiproteolytic glycoproteins might limit exercise-induced inflammatory reactions.This research was supported by the Bundesinstitut für Sportwissenschaften (Köln-Lövenich)     

Effects of ageing and endurance exercise training on alpha-actinin isoforms in rat plantaris muscle

Aim: We recently reported that α‐actinin adaptation occurs at the isoform level. This study was undertaken to clarify the effects of: (1) ageing‐induced shift of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) composition and (2) endurance exercise training on α‐actinin isoforms in rat plantaris muscle. Methods: Adult (18 mo) and old (28 mo) male Fischer 344 rats were assigned to either sedentary control or endurance exercise training groups. Animals in the training groups ran on a treadmill for 8 week with training intensity adjusted to be equal for adult and old groups. After the training was completed, the plantaris muscles were taken for analyses of α‐actinin‐2, α‐actinin‐3, and MyHC composition and metabolic enzyme activities. Results: The proportion of type IIb MyHC was lower, and that of type I MyHC was higher in old animals than in adult animals. α‐actinin‐3 was significantly lower in old animals than in adult animals. No significant difference was found in α‐actinin‐2 and citrate synthase (CS) activity between adult and old animals. Citrate synthase activity was higher in trained animals than in sedentary animals. Endurance training produced a fast‐to‐slow shift within type II MyHC isoforms in both adult and old animals. α‐actinin‐2 was significantly higher in trained animals than in sedentary animals. No significant difference was found in α‐actinin‐3 between trained and sedentary animals. Conclusion: These results support the α‐actinin adaptation at the isoform level and show that the α‐actinin‐3 expression depends on the amount of type II MyHC, whereas α‐actinin‐2 expression is associated with improvement of muscular aerobic capacity.     

Effects of endurance training on hyperammonaemia during a 45-min constant exercise intensity

Summary Eleven laboratory-pretrained subjects (initial =54 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) took part in a study to evaluate the effect of a short endurance training programme [8–12 sessions, 1 h per session, with an intensity varying from 60% to 90% maximal oxygen consumption ] on the responses of blood ammonia (b[NH ₄ ⁺ ]) and lactate (b[la]) concentrations during progressive and constant exercise intensities. After training, during which did not increase, significant decreases in b[NH ₄ ⁺ ], b[la] and muscle proton concentration were observed at the end of the 80% constant exercise intensity, although b[NH ₄ ⁺ ] and b[la] during progressive exercise were unchanged. On the other hand, no correlations were found between muscle fibre composition and b[NH ₄ ⁺ ] in any of the exercise procedures. This study demonstrated that a constant exercise intensity was necessary to reveal the effect of training on muscle metabolic changes inducing the decrease in b[NH ₄ ⁺ ] and b[la]. At a relative power of exercise of 80% , there was no effect of muscle fibre composition on b[NH ₄ ⁺ ] accumulation.     

Effects of prolonged exposure to and physical training in hypobaric conditions on skeletal muscle morphology and metabolic enzymes in rats

Adaptations of skeletal muscle morphology and metabolic enzymes were studied after prolonged training in and exposure to hypobaric (740 –770 mbar) as well as normobaric conditions in rats performing treadmill running training for 10, 21 and 56 days. Animals sacrificed after 91 days served as recovery groups from training and hypobaric exposure for 56 days. The rats were divided into normobaric sedentary (NS) and training (NT) groups and hypobaric sedentary (HS) and training (HT) groups. The weights of extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus (SOL) muscles increased significantly in the 56HS and the 56HT groups compared with the 56NS group, the increase being greatest in the 56HS group. No differences in the mean fibre areas (MFA) of these muscles could be seen, whereas clearly reduced MFAs of type IIA and IIB were observed in the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle. However, fibre area distribution analyses in the EDL and TA muscles showed a higher proportion of larger fibers in the 56HS and 56HT groups than in the respective normobaric groups. On the contrary, in SOL muscles the proportion of smaller fibers was higher in the hypobaric than in normobaric groups at 56 days. Increased activities of citrate synthase and β-hydroxyacyl-CoA-dehydrogenase in SOL and TA muscles in the 56HT group indicate an increase in oxidative capacity. It is concluded that exposure to, and training in moderate hypobaric conditions leads to a positive muscle protein balance which is reflected in increased muscle weights. However, the sites of increased protein synthesis and the possible hyperplasia remain to be studied further. Received : 27 April 1995/Received after revision: 25 October 1995/Accepted: 27 November 1995     

Comparison of changes in testosterone concentrations after strength and endurance exercise in well trained men

Summary Changes in the testosterone concentrations after single sessions of endurance and strength training were measured in seven well trained men, experienced in both forms of training. Both training sessions were rated as hard to very hard on the Borg scale. Blood samples for testosterone measurements were taken before, immediately after, and 2, 4 and 6 h after the training sessions as well as the next morning. The mean tes tosterone concentration increased 27% (P<0.02) and 37% (P< 0.02) during the strength and endurance training session, respectively. Two hours after the training sessions the mean testosterone concentration had re turned to the pre-training level and remained at that level for the length of the observation period. There were no significant differences in the changes in testosterone concentration after strength and endurance training but there were large differences in the testosterone response at the level of the individual. A high correlation (r=0.98;P<0.001) for individuals was found between increases in testosterone concentration after strength and after endurance training. It was concluded that the changes in mean testosterone values followed the same timecourse after single sessions of strength and endurance training of the same duration and perceived exertion. The interindividual differences in tes tosterone response may be of importance for individual adaptation to training.     

Changes in contractile properties of muscle after strength training in man

Summary Thirty young male adults matched in two experimental groups (n=12) and a control group (n=6) were investigated before and after an 8-week strength training period. Group A trained with few repetitions and maximal loads, whereas group B had more repetitions with smaller loads. Both groups lifted the same total load during each training period, four times a week. Maximal voluntary strength (MVS) of a shot-put arm movement, muscular excitability and contractile properties (time to peak of contraction with threshold stimuli, half relaxation time) were measured in M. deltoideus and M. triceps brachii, C. longum, for two durations of stimulation. Increases of 14.8% (group A) and 12.2% (group B) in MVS were observed. Muscle excitability significantly increased in all types of training and both muscles. Significant shortening of the contraction time, dependent on the type of training, was observed in both studied muscles. It appears that the strength training in group A involved the fast fibers of both muscles, whereas in group B the training influence was less marked, and affected both fast and slow fiber types.     

Effects of training at simulated altitude on performance and muscle metabolic capacity in competitive road cyclists

Summary Differences between the effects of training at sea level and at simulated altitude on performance and muscle structural and biochemical properties were investigated in 8 competitive cyclists who trained for 3–4 weeks, 4–5 sessions/week, each session consisting of cycling for 60–90 min continuously and 45–60 min intermittently. Four subjects, the altitude group (AG), trained in a hypobaric chamber (574 torr=2300 m above sea level), and the other four at sea level (SLG). Before and after training work capacity was tested both at simulated altitude (574 torr) and at sea level, by an incremental cycle ergometer test until exhaustion. Work capacity was expressed as total amount of work performed. Venous blood samples were taken during the tests. Leg muscle biopsies were taken at rest before and after the training period. AG exhibited an increase of 33% in both sea level and altitude performance, while SLG increased 22% at sea level and 14% at altitude. Blood lactate concentration at a given submaximal load at altitude was significantly more reduced by training in AG than SLG. Muscle phosphofructokinase (PFK) activity decreased with training in AG but increased in SLG. All AG subjects showed increases in capillary density. In conclusion, work capacity at altitude was increased more by training at altitude than at sea level. Work capacity at sea level was at least as much improved by altitude as by sea level training. The improved work capacity by training at altitude was paralleled by decreased exercise blood lactate concentration, increased capillarization and decreased glycolytic capacity in leg muscle.     

Effect of diet on human muscle weakness following prolonged exercise

Summary The effect of altering muscle glycogen on the ability of skeletal muscle to generate voluntary and electrically evoked isometric force following prolonged exercise has been investigated in five healthy male subjects. Measurements from the triceps surae were made at rest, and before and after prolonged exercise (uphill walking) at approximately 75% in low muscle glycogen (low CHO) and high muscle glycogen (high CHO) conditions.The results showed that before exercise there was no change in maximal twitch tension ( ), maximal tetanic tension at frequencies of 10 (P_o10), 20 (P_o20) and 50 Hz (P_o50), and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) in low and high CHO compared with normal. The loss of force during a 2 min electrically evoked fatigue test at rest was found to be higher (p<0.05) in low CHO and lower (p<0.05) in high CHO than normal.Following the prolonged exercise, muscle weakness was produced in both low and high CHO conditions, but was found to be significantly greater in the low CHO condition for the measurements of P_o10 (p<0.01), P_o20 (p<0.05) and MVC (p<0.05).It is concluded that changes in muscle glycogen alone do not alter the isometric force generating capacity of human muscle, but when combined with prolonged exercise low muscle glycogen enhances exercise-induced muscle weakness.     

Effect of prolonged,severe exercise on the ultrastructure of human skeletal muscle

Summary Three subjects exercised to exhaustion by pedaling a bicycle ergometer at a work load that required an oxygen uptake of 75–80% of their maximal aerobic capacity. Muscle samples were taken from the vastus lateralis with the needle biopsy technique before exercise and immediately after the onset of exhaustion. Muscle glycogen decreased from initial values of 2.57, 1.41, and 3.09 to 0.22, 0.85, and 0.37 g/100 g wet weight respectively for the three subjects during the exercise. The ultrastructure of the fatigued muscle was not dissimilar from that obtained from the muscle at rest. The electron micrographs of fatigued muscle did show an almost complete absence of glycogen particles.     

Effect of antioxidant vitamin supplementation on muscle function after eccentric exercise

Summary This study investigated the effects of antioxidant vitamin supplementation upon muscle contractile function following eccentric exercise and was performed double blind. Twenty-four physically active young subjects ingested either placebo (400 mg; n = 8), vitamin E (400 mg; n=8) or vitamin C (400 mg; n = 8) for 21 days prior to and for 7 days after performing 60 min of box-stepping exercise. Contractile function of the triceps surae was assessed by the measurement of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and the ratio of the force generated at 20 Hz and 50 Hz tetanic stimulation before and after eccentric exercise and for 7 days during recovery. Following eccentric exercise, MVC decreased to 75 (4) % [mean (SE); n = 24; P < 0.05] of the preexercise values and the 20/50 Hz ratio of tetanic tension from 0.76 (0.01) to 0.49 (0.03) [mean (SE); n = 24; P<0.05). Compared to the placebo group no significant changes in MVC were observed immediately post-exercise, though recovery of MVC in the first 24 h post-exercise was greater in the group supplemented with vitamin C. The decrease in 20/50 Hz ratio of tetanic tension was significantly less (P < 0.05) post-exercise and in the initial phase of recovery in subjects supplemented with vitamin C but not with vitamin E. These data suggest that prior vitamin C supplementation may exert a protective effect against eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage.     

Effects of isokinetic training of the knee extensors on high-intensity exercise performance and skeletal muscle buffering

Twenty-three subjects isokinetically trained the right and left quadriceps femoris, three times per week for 16 weeks; one group (n=13) trained at an angular velocity of 4.19 rad · s^–1 and a second group (n=10), at 1.05 rad · s^–1. A control group (n=10) performed no training. Isometric endurance time at 60% quadriceps maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), mean power output and work done (W) during all-out cycling, and the muscle buffer value (B) and carnosine concentration of biopsy samples from the vastus lateralis, were all assessed before and after training. The two training groups did not differ significantly from each other in their training response to any of these variables (P < 0.05). No significant difference in either 60% MVC endurance time or impulse [(endurance time × force) at 60% MVC] was observed for any group after the 16 week period (P > 0.05). However, the post-training increase (9%) in W during high-intensity cycling was greater in the training group than in the control group (P=0.04). NeitherB nor carnosine concentration showed any significant change following training (P=0.56 andP=0.37, respectively). It is concluded that 16 weeks of isokinetic training of the knee extensors enables subjects to do more work during high-intensity cycling. Although the precise adaptations responsible for the improved performance have yet to be identified, they are unlikely to include an increase inB.