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Home / Equine Research Bank / Sci Rep / Submaximal exercise training improves mitochondrial efficien...
Scientific reports2017; 7(1); 14389; doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-14691-4

Submaximal exercise training improves mitochondrial efficiency in the gluteus medius but not in the triceps brachii of young equine athletes.

Abstract: We tested the hypothesis that, similar to humans and rodents, exercise training would enhance mitochondrial (Mt) biogenesis and function in skeletal muscle of young horses. Twenty-four Quarter Horse yearlings were randomly assigned to either submaximal exercise training or no forced exercise (untrained). Biopsies were collected from the gluteus medius and triceps brachii before and after 9 wk of treatment. Citrate synthase activity was lower (P < 0.0001) and cytochrome c oxidase activity per Mt unit was higher (P < 0.0001) in gluteus compared to triceps, but neither changed over the trial period. From wk 0 to 9, intrinsic Mt respiration (P , P ; P = 0.008) and electron transport capacity (E ; P = 0.01) increased, and LEAK-related flux control factor (FCF; P = 0.02) decreased in both muscles. After 9 wk of training, gluteus muscle exhibited higher (P < 0.05) intrinsic P , P , E , and FCF and FCF , and lower FCF (P = 0.0002). Mitochondrial content did not change from wk 0 to 9, and also not in response to submaximal exercise training. Improvements in Mt function were most directly related to ongoing growth of horses independent of muscle group, and training further enhanced Mt function in the gluteus medius.
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Publication Date: 2017-10-30 PubMed ID: 29085004PubMed Central: PMC5662757DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14691-4Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study investigates whether submaximal exercise training enhances mitochondrial performance in the skeletal muscle of young horses, similar to humans and rodents. The research found that such exercise improved mitochondrial efficiency in the gluteus medius (hindquarter muscle), but not in the triceps brachii (forelimb muscle), with any enhancements largely linked to natural horse growth, not necessarily the training.

Methodology

  • The researchers utilized 24 Quarter Horse yearlings. These were randomly assigned to two groups: those undergoing submaximal exercise training and those without any forced exercise (untrained).
  • The team took muscle biopsies from the gluteus medius and triceps brachii of the horses before and after a nine-week treatment period.

Findings

  • The study showed that the activity of citrate synthase, an enzyme critical for energy production in mitochondria, was lower in the gluteus than in the triceps. However, this activity didn’t change over the trial period in either muscle.
  • Meanwhile, the activity of cytochrome c oxidase, another key enzyme involved in mitochondrial energy production, per mitochondrial unit was higher in the gluteus than in the triceps. Again, this metric didn’t change over the nine weeks in either muscle group.
  • From the start to the end of the trial, the study observed increases in intrinsic mitochondrial respiration and electron transport capacity in both muscles. These parameters indicate the efficiency of the mitochondria in producing energy.
  • Conversely, the LEAK-related flux control factor (FCF), a measure of energy wastage, decreased in both muscles over the trial period.
  • After the nine weeks of submaximal exercise training, the gluteus medius showcased increased intrinsic mitochondrial respiration, electron transport capacity, and FCF, while showing decreased LEAK FCF compared to the triceps brachii.
  • Importantly, the study found that the mitochondrial content remained consistent from week 0 to week 9, and in response to the submaximal exercise training.

Implications

  • The study’s findings suggest that the improvements in mitochondrial function originated from the natural growth of the horses, regardless of muscle group, while the submaximal exercise training further enhanced the mitochondrial function specifically in the gluteus medius.
  • These findings imply that similar benefits likely occur in humans and rodents, mirroring previous studies that have highlighted submaximal exercise training’s effectiveness in improving mitochondrial efficiency.

Cite This Article

APA
White SH, Warren LK, Li C, Wohlgemuth SE. (2017). Submaximal exercise training improves mitochondrial efficiency in the gluteus medius but not in the triceps brachii of young equine athletes. Sci Rep, 7(1), 14389. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-14691-4

Publication

Scientific reports
ISSN: 2045-2322
NlmUniqueID: 101563288
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 7
Issue: 1
Pages: 14389
PII: 14389

Researcher Affiliations

White, Sarah H
  • Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
  • Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA.
Warren, Lori K
  • Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
Li, Chengcheng
  • Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
Wohlgemuth, Stephanie E
  • Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA. steffiw@ufl.edu.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Athletes
  • Buttocks
  • Electron Transport
  • Female
  • Forelimb
  • Horses / physiology
  • Male
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
  • Organelle Biogenesis
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / methods
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
  • Thigh

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 10 times.
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