Myosin heavy chain isoform distribution in single fibres of bodybuilders

The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of high intensity resistance training on myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform composition of single fibres. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the right vastus lateralis of eight bodybuilders (BB) and seven physical education students (PES). Histochemical analyses were used to determine the fibre type distribution and the fibre cross-sectional area. MHC isoform composition of single fibres was determined with protein electrophoresis. The percentage of fibres expressing MHC IIA and MHC I/IIA was larger in BB (P < 0.05), while MHC IIX was completely absent (P < 0.05). In contrast, myofibrilar ATPase histochemistry only revealed a significantly lower percentage of type IIX fibres in BB (P < 0.05). The muscle fibre profile in the vastus lateralis muscle of BB may represent an adaptation based on the mechanical and biochemical demands of the long-term resistance training.     

Enzyme activities in type I and II muscle fibres of human skeletal muscle in relation to age and torque development

The quadriceps muscles from 20- 30- and 70-year-old clinically healthy men and women were studied regarding maximal isometric and isokinetic muscle torque in Newton metres (Nm), morphology and enzyme activity. Biopsy specimens were taken from the vastus lateralis muscle and freeze-dried, and individual fibres were dissected out and identified as type I or type II. The activities of citrate synthase (CS), 3-OHacyl-coA dehydrogenase (HAD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), myokinase (MK) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) were determined in pools of type I and type II fibres. In both age groups a higher oxidative (CS, HAD, 1.3-1.5 x) and a lower glycolytic (LDH, 0.7 x) capacity was found in type I than in type II fibres. The myokinase activity was higher in type II (2 x) than in type I, whereas CPK activity was similar. The young men showed higher CS activity in both type I and type II fibres (1.5 x) and higher CPK activity in type I fibres (1.4 x) than the young women. There were only minor changes in oxidative or glycolytic capacities in relation to age. Myokinase was the only enzyme that decreased markedly with age in both pools of fibre types. Type II fibre area and mean fibre area correlated significantly to muscle torque in both sexes. In men, myokinase activity in type II fibres was significantly correlated to type II fibre area and to maximal muscle torque.     

Muscle Adaptation to Extreme Endurance Training in Man

To evaluate the effect of extreme endurance training on muscle fibre composition and activities of oxidative enzymes in different fibre types biopsies were taken from vastus lateralis, gastrocnemius and deltoideus of elite orienteers. Comparisons were made between the (trained) leg muscles and the (relatively untrained) arm muscles, and with leg muscles of 16–18 years old boys. The orienteers had the same percentage type I fibres in vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius as in deltoideus, but higher percentage type I fibres in vastus lateralis compared with the controls. The similarity between trained and untrained muscle in the orienteers suggests that training had not caused the high percentage type I fibres which rather might be the result of selection of individuals with the best prerequisites for high oxidative capacity. However, the distribution of type II subgroups in the leg muscles of the orienteers differed from both their own deltoideus and leg muscles of the controls, the relationship IIA/IIB being altered in favour of the more oxidative IIA. The leg muscles of the orienteers also showed an increased occurrence of the normally rare IIC fibre. These latter findings point at the possibility of a training induced alteration in the subgroup pattern. Unlike in the controls there was no significant difference in succinate dehydrogenase activity, measured in single fibres, between type I and II fibres in gastrocnemius of the orienteers. Thus, type II fibres have the ability metabolically to adapt to high oxidative demands. This might to some extent be mediated by a conversion from IIB to IIA form.     

Muscle adaptation to extreme endurance training in man.

To evaluate the effect of extreme endurance training on muscle fibre composition and activities of oxidative enzymes in different fibre types biopsies were taken from vastus lateralis, gastrocnemius and deltoideus of elite orienteers. Comparisons were made between the (trained) leg muscles and the (relatively untrained) arm muscles, and with leg muscles of 16--18 years old boys. The orienteers had the same percentage type I fibres and vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius as in deltoideus, but higher percentage type I fibres in vastus lateralis compared with the controls. The similarity between trained and untrained muscle in the orienteers suggests that training had not caused the high percentage type I fibres which rather might be the result of selection of individuals with the best prerequisites for high oxidative capacity. However, the distribution of type II subgroups in the leg muscles of the orienteers differed from both their own deltoideus and leg muscles of the controls, the relationship IIA/IIB being altered in favour of the more oxidative IIA. The leg muscles of the orienteers also showed an increased occurrence of the normally IIC fibre. These latter findings point at the possibility of a training induced alteration in the subgroup pattern. Unlike in the controls there was no significant difference in succinate dehydrogenase activity, measured in single fibres, between type I and II fibres in gastrocnemius of the orienteers. Thus, type II fibres have the ability metabolically to adapt to high oxidative demands. This might to some extent be mediated by a conversion from IIB to IIA form.     

Age and sex affect human muscle fibre adaptations to heavy-resistance strength training

This study assessed age and sex effects on muscle fibre adaptations to heavy-resistance strength training (ST). Twenty-two young men and women (20-30 years old) and 18 older men and women (65-75 years old) completed 9 weeks of heavy-resistance knee extension exercises with the dominant leg 3 days week(-1); the non-dominant leg served as a within-subject, untrained control. Bilateral vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were obtained before and after ST for analysis of type I, IIa and IIx muscle fibre cross-sectional area (CSA) and fibre type distribution. One-repetition maximum (1-RM) strength was also assessed before and after ST. ST resulted in increased CSA of type I, IIa and IIx muscle fibres in the trained leg of young men, type I and IIa fibres in young women, type IIa fibres in older men, and type IIx fibres in older women (all P<0.05). Analysis of fibre type distribution revealed a significant increase in the percentage of type I fibres (P<0.05) along with a decrease in type IIx fibres (P=0.054) after ST only in young women. There were no significant changes in muscle fibre CSA or fibre type distribution in the untrained leg for any group. All groups displayed significant increases in 1-RM (27-39%; all P<0.01). In summary, ST led to significant increases in 1-RM and type II fibre CSA in all groups; however, age and sex influence specific muscle fibre subtype responses to ST.     

Histochemical and biochemical changes in human skeletal muscle with age in sedentary males, age 22--65 years.

Biopsies for histochemical and biochemical analyses were taken from the vastus lateralis muscle of 55 untrained, healthy male subjects from 22 to 65 years of age. Fibre type distribution changed towards a decrease in the percentage of type II fibres, both in type IIA and type IIB fibres, whereas type IIB/IIA fibre ratio and type IIC percentage did not change with increasing age. It was found that the type IIB/IIA fibre ratio was inversely related to type I fibres, i.e. subjects rich in type I fibres had a relatively smaller proportion of type IIB fibres. Fibre area determinations revealed a selective decrease in type II fibre area. Consequently, the type II/I fibre area ratio and relative type II fibre area decreased. No changes in the specific activities of Mg2+ stimulated ATPase and myokinase were observed, while the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was higher in the youngest groups than in the oldest. LDH isozyme pattern shifted towards a decrease in percentage distribution of the muscle specific isozymes and a corresponding decrease in muscle specific activity while the activity of the heart specific isozymes did not change.     

Histochemical and biochemical changes in human skeletal muscle with age in sedentary males,age 22–65 years

Biopsies for histochemical and biochemical analyses were taken from the vastus lateralis muscle of 55 untrained, healthy male subjects from 22 to 65 years of age. Fibre type distribution changed towards a decrease in the percentage of type II fibres, both in type IIA and type IIB fibres, whereas type IIB/IIA fibre ratio and type IIC percentage did not change with increasing age. It was found that the type IIB/flA fibre ratio was inversely related to type I fibres, i.e. subjects rich in type I fibres had a relatively smaller proportion of type IIB fibres. Fibre area determinations revealed a selective decrease in type II fibre area. Consequently, the type II/I fibre area ratio and relative type II fibre area decreased. No changes in the specific activities of Mg²⁺ stimulated ATPase and myokinase were observed, while the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was higher in the youngest groups than in the oldest. LDH isozyme pattern shifted towards a decrease in percentage distribution of the muscle specific isozymes and a corresponding decrease in muscle specific activity while the activity of the heart specific isozymes did not change.     

Morphology and enzymatic capacity in arm and leg muscles in 78–81 year old men and women

Twelve men and twelve women 78–81 years of age were studied with muscle biopsies from the right vastus lateralis and biceps brachii and with measurements of isometric and isokinetic strength for knee-extension and isometric strength for elbow-flexion. Bicycle ergometry with determination of heart rate and oxygen uptake at submaximal (50 W) and “maximal” work loads was also performed. Body cell mass was estimated from measurements of total body potassium. Muscle fibre composition with respect to slow twitch (ST = type I) and fast twitch (FT = type II) fibres did not differ between the sexes and the younger subjects drawn from population studies. The mean fibre areas averaged in vastus lateralis 4.7 and 3.3 μm²× 10³ in men and women, respectively. This is less than 10 up to 30% of values found in sedentary younger subjects. The decline dominated in FT fibres, especially FTb fibres. In contrast biceps brachii did not show any matched fibre size reduction. The number of atrophic fibres was high and so was the frequency of “enclosed” fibres and areas with type grouping (ST fibres), indicating denervation—reinnervation. Such abnormalities are rarely seen in younger ages. Correlation analysis showed that only a minor part of the reduction in body cell mass with age could be explained by a reduction in fibre areas and that a reduction with age of the number of muscle fibres of both fibre types must be assumed. Positive correlations were observed between muscle strength and mean fibre and FT fibre areas. Comparing the present findings of skeletal muscle morphology to those in younger age groups, it is apparent that during the 8th decade of life major changes do occur. The measurements of aerobic and anaerobic enzymatic activities and of muscle capillary supply showed that levels comparable to those of younger age groups are maintained. Thus, quantitative rather than qualitative changes may explain the reduction in work performance with age.     

Exercise-induced fibre type transitions with regard to myosin,parvalbumin, and sarcoplasmic reticulum in muscles of the rat

Effects of a long-term, high intensity training program upon histochemically assessed myofibrillar actomyosin ATPase, myosin composition, peptide pattern of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), and parvalbumin content were analysed in muscles from the same rats which were used in a previous study (Green et al. 1983). Following 15 weeks of extreme training, an increase in type I and type IIA fibres and a decrease in type IIB fibres occurred both in plantaris and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles. In the deep portion of vastus lateralis (VLD), there was a pronounced increase from 10±5% to 27±11% in type I fibres. No type I fibres were detected in the superficial portion of vastus lateralis (VLS) both in control and trained animals. An increase in slow type myosin light chains accompanied the histochemically observed fibre type transition in VLD. Changes in the peptide pattern of SR occurred both in VLS and VLD and suggested a complete transition from type IIB to IIA in VLS and from type IIA to I in VLD. A complete type IIA to I transition in the VLD was also suggested by the failure to detect parvalbumin in this muscle after 15 weeks of training. Changes in parvalbumin content and SR tended to precede the transitions in the myosin light chains. Obviously, high intensity endurance training is capable of transforming specific characteristics of muscle fibres beyond the commonly observed changes in the enzyme activity pattern of energy metabolism. The time courses of the various changes which are similar to those in chronic nerve stimulation experiments, indicate that various functional systems of the muscle fibre do not change simultaneously.     

The effect of strength training on estimates of mitochondrial density and distribution throughout muscle fibres

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of strength training (12 weeks, 3 days/week, four lower-body exercises) of young individuals (mean age 23.6 years) on estimates of mitochondrial distribution throughout muscle fibres. A control group (mean age 21.7 years) was followed simultaneously. Skeletal muscle biopsy samples were obtained from the vastus lateralis, pre- and post-training. The regional distribution of subsarcolemmal and intermyofibrillar mitochondrial populations was determined using quantitative histochemical staining of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) in type I and II muscle fibres. Strength training resulted in significant increases of 26% and 28% in the cross-sectional area of type I and II fibres, respectively (P?P?相似文献   

Changes in muscle fibre type from adolescence to adulthood in women and men.

Age-related changes in muscle fibre characteristics have been presented in cross-sectional studies previously. The aim of the present study was to investigate longitudinally whether the muscle fibre type composition and muscle fibre area change from adolescence to adulthood. Fifty-five men and 28 women were studied at the age of 16 and again at the age of 27. Biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis muscle and analysed for fibre types (I, IIA, IIB, IIC) and fibre areas. Different development of fibre type composition with increased age were seen in women and men: the type I percentage tended to increase in the women (51 +/- 9 to 55 +/- 12) and decrease significantly in the men (55 +/- 12 to 48 +/- 13). The fibre areas remained unchanged in both sexes. It is suggested that there is a sex-related fibre adaptation to increased age.     

Changes in signalling molecule levels in 10-day hindlimb immobilized rat muscles

AIM: Hindlimb immobilization produces similar percentage decreases in muscle mass in the predominantly type I soleus and type II vastus lateralis muscles. Consequently we hypothesized that the percentage changes in potential regulatory molecules for atrophy would be similar in the two muscle fibre types. METHODS: Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to measure phosphorylated p38 MAPK and JNK, as well as the protein levels of p53, growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible 45 (GADD45), and full-length poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) to determine whether their changes in expression in the soleus and vastus lateralis muscles were similar at 10th day of hindlimb immobilization in young rats. RESULTS: Unexpectedly, preferential increases in phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK and in the protein levels of p53, GADD45, as well as decreases in full-length PARP occurred in the soleus muscle, while only p38 phosphorylation increased in the white portion of the vastus lateralis muscle at 10th day of hindlimb immobilization. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results are interpreted to suggest that some of regulatory processes or kinetics in the atrophy of type I and II muscle fibres during limb immobilization may differ at the 10th day of limb immobilization.     

Variability in muscle fibre areas in whole human quadriceps muscle. How much and why?

To determine the variability in fibre areas in the human vastus lateralis muscle, cross-sections (15 microns) of whole autopsied muscles from eight young men have been prepared, and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of 375 type 1 and 375 type 2 fibres has been measured in five different regions throughout each muscle. The CSA of both fibre types varied significantly within all muscle cross-sections. Fibres in the deep parts of the muscle were larger than superficially. There was a significant correlation between the CSA of the two fibre types within each region: if a fibre of a given type was small, or large, the other fibre type was also small, or large. The CSA of type 2 fibres was larger than the CSA of type 1 fibres in 26 of the 40 regions: regions with type 1 fibres larger than type 2 fibres were mostly (71%) found deep in the muscle. The standard deviation of the CSA of type 1 fibres was significantly larger than for type 2 fibres in 35 of the 40 regions. In conclusion, the CSA of the different fibre types in the vastus lateralis of young men varies non-randomly. The pattern of variation, both throughout the muscle and in small sample regions, supports the general opinion that the functional demands placed on the fibre population are an important factor in the development of the fibre properties.     

Muscle fibre type distribution,muscle cross-sectional area and maximal voluntary strength in humans

The relationship between maximum voluntary concentric strength, muscle fibre type distribution and muscle cross-sectional areas were examined in 23 subjects (7 female and 11 male phys. ed. students as well as 5 male bodybuilders). Maximal knee and elbow extension as well as elbow flexion torque at the angular velocities 30, 90 and 180 degrees per second was measured. Muscle biopsies were taken from vastus lateralis and m. triceps brachii. The muscle cross-sectional area of the thigh and upper arm was measured with computed tomography scanning. The maximal torque correlated strongly to the muscle cross-sectional area times an approximative measure on the lever arm (body height). Maximal tension developed per unit of muscle cross-sectional area did not correlate significantly with per cent type I fibre area and did not differ between the female and male students or bodybuilders. Neither did the relative decrease in torque with increasing contraction velocity show any significant relationship to the per cent type I fibre area. The total number of muscle fibres was estimated by dividing the muscle cross-sectional area with the mean fibre area of m. triceps brachii. The number of fibres did not seem to differ between the sexes.     

Histochemical and metabolic characteristics of human skeletal muscle in relation to age

Muscle fibre composition, fibre areas and enzyme activities were determined in muscle biopsy samples (m. vastus lateralis) from both legs of 34 clinically healthy men and 31 clinically healthy women (aged 20-70 years). No significant difference was found in any of the three variables between the right and left leg. In the whole material the mean percentage of type I fibres was significantly higher in men, whereas that of type IIA fibres was significantly higher in women (men 58% I, 27% IIA, 13% IIB, women 51% I, 32% IIA, 15% IIB). The areas of all fibre types were significantly larger in men than in women. When the subjects were divided into age groups of 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 years, respectively, the fibre composition was found to be similar at different ages in both men and women, but changes in fibre areas were observed. The 70-year-old men and women showed significantly reduced areas of both type I and II fibres compared with the 60-year-olds. Only minor changes were seen in enzyme activities in relation to age. Men of the youngest age group had significantly higher levels of citrate synthase activity than those of the older age groups. Similar findings were seen for women except for the 60-year-olds, who had as high activity levels of citrate synthase as the 20-year-olds.     

Changes in muscle fibre type from adolescence to adulthood in women and men

Age-related changes in muscle fibre characteristics have been presented in cross-sectional studies previously. The aim of the present study was to investigate longitudinally whether the muscle fibre type composition and muscle fibre area change from adolescence to adulthood. Fifty-five men and 28 women were studied at the age of 16 and again at the age of 27. Biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis muscle and analysed for fibre types (I, IIA, IIB, IIC) and fibre areas. Different development of fibre type composition with increased age were seen in women and men: the type I percentage tended to increase in the women (51 ± 9 to 55 ± 12) and decrease significantly in the men (55 ± 12 to 48 ± 13). The fibre areas remained unchanged in both sexes. It is suggested that there is a sex-related fibre adaptation to increased age.     

Different responses of skeletal muscle following sprint training in men and women

Six male and ten female physically active students performed 30-s sprint training on a cycle ergometer three times a week for 4 weeks, to investigate the training responses of skeletal muscle and to evaluate possible sex differences in this respect. Three repeated sprint tests with a 20-min rest in between were performed and muscle biopsies from the vastus lateralis muscle were taken before and after the training period. Mean power (average of sprint I–III) and type HB cross-sectional fibre area increased only in the women (7% and 25% respectively) following sprint training, resulting in a decreased sex difference. There was an increase in total lactate dehydrogenase (LD) activity following sprint training in both sexes, although the levels were lower in the women both before and after training. Glycogen content increased and the activity of LD iso-enzyme I decreased in the women, but not in men. It was hypothesised that both the smaller areas of type II fibres and lower activity of LD generally seen in women may be due in part to less frequent activation of type TI fibres in women than in men. If this were the case, the women should respond to sprint training (a type of training that activates type II fibres) to a relatively greater extent than men. That the observed increase in type IIB fibre area in response to sprint training was greater in the women than in men supported the hypothesis of the study. However, the results for LD activity, which showed a similar response in the men and the women, did not support the hypothesis.     

Changes in signalling molecule levels in 10‐day hindlimb immobilized rat muscles

Aim: Hindlimb immobilization produces similar percentage decreases in muscle mass in the predominantly type I soleus and type II vastus lateralis muscles. Consequently we hypothesized that the percentage changes in potential regulatory molecules for atrophy would be similar in the two muscle fibre types. Methods: Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to measure phosphorylated p38 MAPK and JNK, as well as the protein levels of p53, growth arrest and DNA damage‐inducible 45 (GADD45), and full‐length poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) to determine whether their changes in expression in the soleus and vastus lateralis muscles were similar at 10th day of hindlimb immobilization in young rats. Results: Unexpectedly, preferential increases in phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK and in the protein levels of p53, GADD45, as well as decreases in full‐length PARP occurred in the soleus muscle, while only p38 phosphorylation increased in the white portion of the vastus lateralis muscle at 10th day of hindlimb immobilization. Conclusion: Taken together, these results are interpreted to suggest that some of regulatory processes or kinetics in the atrophy of type I and II muscle fibres during limb immobilization may differ at the 10th day of limb immobilization.     

Muscle strength from aldolescence to adulthood — relationship to muscle fibre types

The aim of the present study was to reinvestigate muscle strength and the relationship to muscle fibre and the level of physical activity in adult men and women previously studied during adolescence. A group of 55 men and 26 women were tested for maximal strength (handgrip, Sargent jump and two-handlift) and completed a questionnaire concerning physical activity during their leisure time (activity index) at the ages of 16 and 27 years. Biopsy specimens were taken from the vastus lateralis and analysed for fibre type (percentage of 1, IIA, IIB) and fibre area (area I, area IIA, area IIB). The sex differences in strength increased from age 16 to 17 years. Body dimension, sex, percentage of type II, mean fibre area and the activity index contributed to explaining 50–75% of the strength at both ages. Different changes in relationship between fibre type composition and strength in women and men was seen with increasing age. In the women, the relationship between strength and the percentage of type II fibres changed with age (from 16 to 27 years of age) from a positive correlation (only Sargent jump) to negative correlations for all the strength tests, i.e. the more type I fibres the stronger the subject. A positive correlation between strength and the level of physical activity during leisure time was revealed in the women at both ages. The positive correlation between strength and type II fibres in the 16-year-old men had disappeared at age 27. No systematic relationships between strength and the level of physical activity were seen in the men at either 16 or 27 years of age. It is suggested that women may be more dependent on physical activity than adult men to develop strength and the percentage of type I fibres reflects the degree of physical activity among adult women but not among adolescent women.