Growth induced by incremental static stretch in adult rabbit latissimus dorsi muscle

Incrementally applied static stretch over 3 weeks resulted in a 72 % increase in the weight of the in situ latissimus dorsi muscle in rabbits. True growth rather than tissue oedema was confirmed by increases in the protein content (130 %), the cross-sectional area of the type I fibres (30 %) and the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Experimental physiology 2000-03, Vol.85 (2), p.193-202
Main Authors: Cox, Valerie M., Williams, Pamela E., Wright, Helena, James, Robert S., Gillott, Kay L., Young, Iain S., Goldspink, David F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biomechanical Phenomena
Connective Tissue - anatomy & histology
DNA - metabolism
Histocytochemistry
Muscle Development
Muscle Fibers, Skeletal - ultrastructure
Muscle Proteins - metabolism
Muscle, Skeletal - anatomy & histology
Muscle, Skeletal - growth & development
Muscle, Skeletal - metabolism
Muscle, Skeletal - ultrastructure
Rabbits
RNA - metabolism
Sarcomeres - ultrastructure
Shoulder
Stress, Mechanical
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Summary:Incrementally applied static stretch over 3 weeks resulted in a 72 % increase in the weight of the in situ latissimus dorsi muscle in rabbits. True growth rather than tissue oedema was confirmed by increases in the protein content (130 %), the cross-sectional area of the type I fibres (30 %) and the muscle length (i.e. number of sarcomeres in series increased 25 %). Despite an increase in the proportion of fibres staining positive for the enzyme succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), the myosin ATPase stain showed no appreciable fibre type transformation. While total power output in the stretched muscle was unchanged, its maximum mass specific power output, as determined by oscillatory work loops, was decreased by 50 %. The cross-sectional area that was occupied by connective tissue increased from 15 to 19 % in the stretched muscles, with a concomitant increase in passive energy dissipation. Some incrementally stretched muscles were then allowed an additional 3 weeks of maintained stretch to determine whether the adaptive changes would be preserved or reversed. Previous gains in muscle weight, length and area of type I fibres all remained. In contrast, the connective tissue content and the passive properties returned to control values during this period.
ISSN:0958-0670
1469-445X
DOI:10.1111/j.1469-445X.2000.01950.x