Animal model for progressive resistance exercise: a detailed description of model and its implications for basic research in exercise

The Several animal models have been proposed for resistance training. In addition, the results of these studies have been highly variable. Some of the studies have used negative reinforcement, electric shock or food deprivation to motivate the learning of the task. Features such as conditioning through electric shock may undermine the significance of the results or even prevent the model from being successfully executed. Due to these reasons, in this study we propose to use an adaptation of the vertical ladder climbing model for progressive resistance training in rats, albeit with a unique feature to ensure the homogeneity of the study groups: a period of adaptation to the apparatus without any negative reinforcement followed by a subsequent pairing of animals based on their ability to learn. The animals were distributed in the experimental group who were subjected to 8 weeks of a progressive resistance exercise protocol and the control group. After 8wks, the gastrocnemius, soleus, flexor digitorum longus (FDL), and plantaris muscles were removed and the cross-sectional area morphometry was obtened. The animals from experimental group showed hypertrophy [F(4, 15)=17,404, P < 0.001] for gastrocnemius [60% of hipertrophy; Control (2628,64 ± 348,50) versus Experimental (4207,77 ± 1256,52); ES=1.96; Power=0,86]; FDL [35% of hipertrophy; Control (2753,80 ± 359,54) versus Experimental (3711,84 ± 279,45); ES=2.99; Power=0.99] and plantaris [38% of hipertrophy; Control (2730,44 ± 320,56) versus Experimental (3767,30 ± 625,80); ES=2.19; Power=0.92], without modifications for soleus. All animals successfully completed the 8-week progressive resistance training program without any injuries, abandonment or death. Negative reinforcements such as electric shock were not required at any time in the experiment. In conclusion, we showed an adaptation of the previus model for progressive resistance training in rats. A period of adaptation to the apparatus without any negative reinforcement followed by a subsequent pairing of animals based on their ability to learn may be a alternative strategy for the original protocol. We also observed hypertrophy (gastrocnemius, FDL, and plantaris) showed the vality of this procolos for resistance exercise issues. The results of this study may be useful in basic/ applied neuroscience research and resistance exercise.

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Temporal response of desmin and dystrophin proteins to progressive resistance exercise in human skeletal muscle

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.01592.2005 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 100 (6) ◽

pp. 1876-1882 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Mandy T. Woolstenhulme ◽

Robert K. Conlee ◽

Micah J. Drummond ◽

Aaron W. Stites ◽

Allen C. Parcell

Keyword(s):

Resistance Training ◽

Resistance Exercise ◽

Training Group ◽

Cytoskeletal Proteins ◽

Progressive Resistance Training ◽

Resistance Training Program ◽

Single Bout ◽

Actin Protein ◽

Time Point ◽

Progressive Resistance

We have investigated the adaptations of the cytoskeletal proteins desmin and dystrophin in relationship to known muscular adaptations of resistance exercise. We measured desmin, dystrophin, and actin protein contents, myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform distribution, muscle strength, and muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) during 8 wk of progressive resistance training or after a single bout of unaccustomed resistance exercise. Muscle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis of 12 untrained men. For the single-bout group ( n = 6) biopsies were taken 1 wk before the single bout of exercise ( week 0) and 1, 2, 4, and 8 wk after this single bout of exercise. For the training group ( n = 6), biopsies were taken 1 wk before the beginning of the program ( week 0) and at weeks 1, 2, 4, and 8 of the progressive resistance training program. Desmin, dystrophin, and actin protein levels were determined with immunoblotting, and MHC isoform distribution was determined using SDS-PAGE at each time point for each group. In the training group, desmin was significantly increased compared with week 0 beginning at week 4 (182% of week 0; P < 0.0001) and remained elevated through week 8 (172% of week 0; P < 0.0001). Desmin did not change at any time point for the single-bout group. Actin and dystrophin protein contents were not changed in either group at any time point. The percentage of MHC type IIa increased and MHC type IIx decreased at week 8 in the training group with no changes occurring in the single-bout group. Strength was significantly increased by week 2 (knee extension) and week 4 (leg press), and it further increased at week 8 for both these exercises in the training group only. Muscle CSA was significantly increased at week 4 for type II fibers in the training group only (5,719 ± 382 and 6,582 ± 640 μm2, weeks 0 and 4, respectively; P < 0.05). Finally, a significant negative correlation was observed between the desmin-to-actin ratio and the percentage of MHC IIx ( R = −0.31; P < 0.05, all time points from both groups). These data demonstrate a time course for muscular adaptation to resistance training in which desmin increases shortly after strength gains and in conjunction with hypertrophy, but before changes in MHC isoforms, whereas dystrophin remains unchanged.

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Effects of short-term resistance training and tapering on maximal strength, peak power, throwing ball velocity, and sprint performance in handball players

10.1101/586586 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Souhail Hermassi ◽

Aloui Ghaith ◽

René Schwesig ◽

Roy J. Shephard ◽

Mohamed Souhaiel Chelly

Keyword(s):

Resistance Training ◽

Training Program ◽

Muscle Power ◽

Sprint Performance ◽

Training Period ◽

Control Group ◽

Progressive Resistance Training ◽

Short Term ◽

Resistance Training Program ◽

Experimental Group

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to assess the effect of short-term resistance training and two weeks of tapering on physical performances in handball players. Following a ten-week progressive resistance training program, subjects were divided between an experimental (n = 10) and a control group (n = 10). The experimental group completed a resistance training program, followed by a two-week period when the training intensity was tapered by 60%, while the control group maintained their typical pattern of training. Muscle power (force–velocity test and squat and counter-movement jump tests), sprinting ability (10m and 30m), ability to change direction (T-half test) and throwing velocity (a 3-step throw with a run, and a jump throw) were evaluated before training, at the end of training and after tapering. The experimental group showed significantly larger interaction effects for the 10-week training period (12/15, 80%), than for the following 2 weeks of tapering (10/15, 67%), with the largest gains being in 15 m sprint times (d=3.78) and maximal muscular strength in the snatch (d=3.48). Although the performance of the experimental group generally continued to increase over tapering, the mean effect size for the training period was markedly higher (d=1.92, range: 0.95-3.78) than that seen during tapering (d=1.02, range:−0.17-2.09). Nevertheless the ten weeks of progressive resistance training followed by two weeks of tapering was an effective overall tactic to increase muscle power, sprint performance and ball throwing velocity in handball players.

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Fatigue, mood and quality of life improve in MS patients after progressive resistance training

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/1352458509360040 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 480-490 ◽

Cited By ~ 129

Author(s):

U. Dalgas ◽

E. Stenager ◽

J. Jakobsen ◽

T. Petersen ◽

HJ Hansen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Beneficial Effect ◽

Control Group ◽

Progressive Resistance Training ◽

Multiple Sclerosis Patients ◽

Progressive Resistance

Fatigue occurs in the majority of multiple sclerosis patients and therapeutic possibilities are few. Fatigue, mood and quality of life were studied in patients with multiple sclerosis following progressive resistance training leading to improvement of muscular strength and functional capacity. Fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale, FSS), mood (Major Depression Inventory, MDI) and quality of life (physical and mental component scores, PCS and MCS, of SF36) were scored at start, end and follow-up of a randomized controlled clinical trial of 12 weeks of progressive resistance training in moderately disabled (Expanded Disability Status Scale, EDSS: 3—5.5) multiple sclerosis patients including a Control group ( n = 15) and an Exercise group ( n = 16). Fatigue (FSS > 4) was present in all patients. Scores of FSS, MDI, PCS—SF36 and MCS—SF36 were comparable at start of study in the two groups. Fatigue improved during exercise by —0.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) —1.4 to 0.4) a.u. vs. 0.1 (95% CI —0.4 to 0.6) a.u. in controls ( p = 0.04), mood improved by —2.4 (95% CI —4.1 to 0.7) a.u. vs. 1.1 (—1.2 to 3.4) a.u. in controls ( p = 0.01) and quality of life (PCS—SF36) improved by 3.5 (95% CI 1.4—5.7) a.u. vs. —1.0 (95% CI —3.4—1.4) a.u. in controls ( p = 0.01). The beneficial effect of progressive resistance training on all scores was maintained at follow-up after further 12 weeks. Fatigue, mood and quality of life all improved following progressive resistance training, the beneficial effect being maintained for at least 12 weeks after end of intervention.

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