Effect of Pre-conditioning of Endurance Training with Different Intensities on Soleus Muscle Atrophy in a Period of Inactivity: The Role of PGC-1α4 Gene

This study aimed to measure PGC-1α4 soleus muscle and to investigate the effect of endurance training pre-conditioning with different intensities on the atrophy response of the soleus muscle to a period of inactivity.

In this experimental study, 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into equal groups of control (C), control inactivity (CI), high-intensity endurance training group (HE) (treadmill speed 30 km/h), and low-intensity endurance training (LE) (treadmill’s speed: 10 km/h). After two weeks of familiarization, the endurance training group ran on a treadmill for two weeks (five sessions each week). The animal’s lower limbs were then immobilized for seven days. Then the soleus muscle was extracted, and after weighting, the expression of the PGC-1α4 gene was measured using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (realtime PCR) technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 24.

The expression of the PGC-1α4 gene was significantly higher in the HE group than the CI group. However, compared to the C group, all groups with inactivity intervention showed significantly lower PGC-1α4 gene levels. The ratio of muscle mass to body weight in the C group was significantly higher than the LE and CI groups, and higher in the HE group than the CI group.

Endurance training seems to be able to reduce the destructive effects of inactive atrophy. The higher intensity of these exercises was more effective, which was associated with increased expression of the PGC-1α4 gene.