CHRONIC EFFECTS OF PASSIVE MECHANICAL STRETCHING EXERCISE ON SOLEUS MUSCLE OF FEMALE AGED RATS

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Abstract The loss of muscle mass related to ageing process, known as sarcopenia, occurs through a decrease of muscle fiber cross-sectional area (MFCSA). However, physical exercises can maintain and/or increase skeletal muscle mass. The aim of this study was to analyze the chronic effects of passive mechanical stretching exercise on soleus muscle of female aged rats. Fourteen aged female rats (28 months) divided into two groups: Stretching (SG, n=7, 335 ± 39g) and control (CG, n=7, 321 ± 32g) were included. Rats were previously anesthetized and to stretch soleus muscle the left ankle was held mechanically in full dorsal flexion through an apparatus constituted by a load cell, to measure the force (N) to induce the muscle-tendon unit deformation. The stretching was performed on the left soleus muscle, 4 repetitions of 1 minute each with 30 seconds interval between each repetition through an apparatus, 3 times a week, for 3 weeks. After three sessions, left soleus muscles were removed, and the following analysis were performed: muscle weight with a scale and histological slides with transverse muscle section to measure MFCSA. The muscle weight was significantly higher in the SG when compared to CG (0.26 ± 0.3mg vs0.14 ± 0.03mg, p=0.003, Kruskal-Wallis) and MFCSA of SG was significantly lower in the SG when compared to CG (3919 ± 1694 µm2vs 4172 ± 1446 µm2, p=0.002, Kruskal-Wallis)

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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