Comparison of oxygen consumption in rats during uphill (concentric) and downhill (eccentric) treadmill exercise tests

The study of the physiological adaptations of skeletal muscle in response to eccentric (ECC) contraction is based on protocols in which exercise intensities are determined relative to the concentric (CON) reference exercise (as percentage of the CON maximal oxygen consumption, or VO2max). In order t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of sports science & medicine 2014-09, Vol.13 (3), p.689-694
Main Authors: Chavanelle, Vivien, Sirvent, Pascal, Ennequin, Gaël, Caillaud, Kévin, Montaurier, Christophe, Morio, Béatrice, Boisseau, Nathalie, Richard, Ruddy
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal research
Biochemistry
Cytokines
Employment
Exercise intensity
Exercise physiology
Fitness equipment
Food and Nutrition
Laboratories
Life Sciences
Metabolism
Metabolites
Musculoskeletal system
Nutrition research
Physical fitness
Running
Studies
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Summary:The study of the physiological adaptations of skeletal muscle in response to eccentric (ECC) contraction is based on protocols in which exercise intensities are determined relative to the concentric (CON) reference exercise (as percentage of the CON maximal oxygen consumption, or VO2max). In order to use similar exercise protocols in rats, we compared the VO2 values during uphill (CON) and downhill (ECC) running tests. VO2 was measured in 15 Wistar rats during incremental treadmill running exercises with different slopes: level (0%), positive (+15% incline: CON+15%) and negative (i15% incline: ECC-15%; and 130% incline: ECC-30%). Similar VO2 values were obtained in the ECC-30% and CON+15% running conditions at the three target speeds (15, 25 and 35 cm/sec). Conversely, VO2 values were lower (p < 0.05) in the ECC-15% than in the CON+15% condition (CON+15% VO2/ECC-15% VO2 ratios ranging from 1.86 to 2.05 at the three target speeds). Thus, doubling the downhill slope gradient in ECC condition leads to an oxygen consumption level that is not significantly different as in CON condition. These findings can be useful for designing animal research protocols to study the effects of ECC and CON exercise in ageing population or subjects suffering from cardiovascular diseases. Key PointsVO2 in rats during treadmill race in eccentric and concentric conditions were measured.A novel breath-by-breath device allowing direct access to the animal was used.THREE DIFFERENT SLOPES: +15%, -15% and -30% were used.VO2 values obtained in the -30% eccentric and the +15% concentric conditions were not significantly different.
ISSN:1303-2968
1303-2968