Taher Afsharnezhad Roudsari; AliReza Amani
Abstract
Background and Aim: Resistance training (RT) is the most effective strategy to prevent age-related muscle wasting and weakness, because it promotes muscle strength and function. As the loss of muscle mass contributes to sarcopenia, the effects of RT on hypertrophy and its myogenic processes is controversial ...
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Background and Aim: Resistance training (RT) is the most effective strategy to prevent age-related muscle wasting and weakness, because it promotes muscle strength and function. As the loss of muscle mass contributes to sarcopenia, the effects of RT on hypertrophy and its myogenic processes is controversial in old age. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of RT on strength, mass and protein level of myogenin in gastrocnemius muscle of elderly rats. Materials and Methods: Sixteen elderly male Sprague-Dawley rats (24-month age) divided equally to two groups (control and RT). RT group underwent 8weeks (3-days/week) of resistance training by climbing a wooden ladder with weights attached to their tails. 48h after last session, isometric force, muscle wet mass and protein level of myogenin of gastrocnemius muscle were measured in both groups. For statistical analysis, independent sample t-test was used with a significance level of 0.05. Results: Absolute and relative (to body mass) isometric force of RT group were significantly greater than those in control group. There was not any significant difference in wet muscle mass between groups. Western blot analysis of muscle tissue also showed that the levels of myogenin did not significantly differ between two groups. Conclusion: Force production capacity and muscle quality (force to muscle mass ratio) were increased following resistance training in elderly rats through events are likely caused by neuromuscular adaptations. Additionally, the results suggest that increase in strength after resistance training in aged rats cannot be explained in terms of the changing in muscle mass and myogenin expression values.
