Consecutive bouts of diverse contractile activity alter acute responses in human skeletal muscle

Aerobic exercise does not compromise muscle hypertrophy response to short-term resistance training

This study tested the hypothesis that chronic aerobic and resistance exercise (AE+RE) would elicit greater muscle hypertrophy than resistance exercise only (RE). Ten men (25 ± 4 yr) performed 5 wk unilateral knee extensor AE+RE. The opposing limb was subjected to RE. AE completed 6 hr prior to RE consisted of ~45 min one-legged cycle ergometry. RE comprised 4 × 7 maximal concentric-eccentric knee extensions. Various indexes of in vivo knee extensor function were measured before and after training. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessed m. quadricep femoris (QF) cross-sectional area (CSA), volume, and signal intensity (SI). Biopsies obtained from m. vastus lateralis determined fiber CSA, enzyme levels, and gene expression of myostatin, atrogin-1, MuRF-1, PGC-1α, and VEGF. Increases (P < 0.05) in isometric strength and peak power, respectively, were comparable in AE+RE (9 and 29%) and RE (11 and 24%). AE+RE showed greater increase (14%; P < 0.05) in QF volume than RE (8%). Muscle fiber CSA increased 17% after AE+RE (P < 0.05) and 9% after RE (P > 0.05). QF SI increased (12%; P < 0.05) after AE+RE, but not RE. Neither AE+RE nor RE showed altered mRNA levels. Citrate synthase activity increased (P < 0.05) after AE+RE. The results suggest that the increased aerobic capacity shown with AE+RE was accompanied by a more robust increase in muscle size compared with RE. Although this response was not carried over to greater improvement in muscle function, it remains that intense AE can be executed prior to RE without compromising performance outcome.

Concurrent aerobic exercise interferes with the satellite cell response to acute resistance exercise

The addition of aerobic exercise (AE) to a resistance exercise (RE) program (concurrent exercise, CE) can interfere with maximum muscle fiber growth achieved with RE. Further, CE appears to markedly affect the growth of myosin heavy chain (MHC) I, but not MHC IIa fibers. The mechanism responsible for this “interference” is unclear. Satellite cell (SC) responsiveness to exercise appears to influence muscle adaptation but has not yet been examined following acute concurrent exercise. Thus, we assessed the fiber-type-specific SC response to RE, AE, and CE exercise. Eight college-aged males completed the following two exercise trials: the RE trial, which consisted of unilateral leg extensions and presses (4 sets ≥ 10 repetitions: 75% 1 repetition maximum, RM); and the AE/CE trial, which included an identical RE protocol with the opposite leg, immediately followed by subjects cycling for 90 min (60% Wmax). Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis before and 4 days after each session. Samples were cross-sectioned, stained with antibodies against NCAM, Ki-67, and MHC I, counterstained with DAPI, and analyzed for SC density (SC per fiber), SC activation, and fiber type. SC density increased to a greater extent following RE (38 ± 10%), compared with CE (−6 ± 8%). Similarly, MHC I muscle fiber SC density displayed a greater increase following RE (46 ± 14%), compared with AE (−7 ± 17%) and CE (−8 ± 8%). Our data indicate that the SC response to RE is blunted when immediately followed by AE, at least in MHC I muscle fibers, and possibly MHC II fibers. This suggests that the physiological environment evoked by AE might attenuate the eventual addition of myonuclei important for maximum muscle fiber growth and consequent force-producing capacity.

Low muscle glycogen concentration does not suppress the anabolic response to resistance exercise

We determined the effect of muscle glycogen concentration and postexercise nutrition on anabolic signaling and rates of myofibrillar protein synthesis after resistance exercise (REX). Sixteen young, healthy men matched for age, body mass, peak oxygen uptake (Vo(2peak)) and strength (one repetition maximum; 1RM) were randomly assigned to either a nutrient or placebo group. After 48 h diet and exercise control, subjects undertook a glycogen-depletion protocol consisting of one-leg cycling to fatigue (LOW), whereas the other leg rested (NORM). The next morning following an overnight fast, a primed, constant infusion of l-[ring-(13)C(6)] phenylalanine was commenced and subjects completed 8 sets of 5 unilateral leg press repetitions at 80% 1RM. Immediately after REX and 2 h later, subjects consumed a 500 ml bolus of a protein/CHO (20 g whey + 40 g maltodextrin) or placebo beverage. Muscle biopsies from the vastus lateralis of both legs were taken at rest and 1 and 4 h after REX. Muscle glycogen concentration was higher in the NORM than LOW at all time points in both nutrient and placebo groups (P < 0.05). Postexercise Akt-p70S6K-rpS6 phosphorylation increased in both groups with no differences between legs (P < 0.05). mTOR(Ser2448) phosphorylation in placebo increased 1 h after exercise in NORM (P < 0.05), whereas mTOR increased ~4-fold in LOW (P < 0.01) and ~11 fold in NORM with nutrient (P < 0.01; different between legs P < 0.05). Post-exercise rates of MPS were not different between NORM and LOW in nutrient (0.070 ± 0.022 vs. 0.068 ± 0.018 %/h) or placebo (0.045 ± 0.021 vs. 0.049 ± 0.017 %/h). We conclude that commencing high-intensity REX with low muscle glycogen availability does not compromise the anabolic signal and subsequent rates of MPS, at least during the early (4 h) postexercise recovery period.

Concurrent resistance and aerobic exercise stimulates both myofibrillar and mitochondrial protein synthesis in sedentary middle-aged men

We determined myofibrillar and mitochondrial protein fractional synthesis rates (FSR), intramuscular signaling protein phosphorylation, and mRNA expression responses after isolated bouts of resistance exercise (RE), aerobic exercise (AE), or in combination [termed concurrent exercise (CE)] in sedentary middle-aged men. Eight subjects (age = 53.3 ± 1.8 yr; body mass index = 29.4 ± 1.4 kg·m(2)) randomly completed 8 × 8 leg extension repetitions at 70% of one repetition-maximum, 40 min of cycling at 55% peak aerobic power output (AE), or (consecutively) 50% of the RE and AE trials (CE). Biopsies were obtained (during a primed, constant infusion of l-[ring-(13)C(6)]phenylalanine) while fasted, and at 1 and 4 h following postexercise ingestion of 20 g of protein. All trials increased mitochondrial FSR above fasted rates (RE = 1.3-fold; AE = 1.5; CE = 1.4; P < 0.05), although only CE (2.2) and RE (1.8) increased myofibrillar FSR (P < 0.05). At 1 h postexercise, phosphorylation of Akt on Ser(473) (CE = 7.7; RE = 4.6) and Thr(308) (CE = 4.4; RE = 2.9), and PRAS40 on Thr(246) (CE = 3.8; AE = 2.5) increased (P < 0.05), with CE greater than AE for Akt Ser(473)-Thr(308) and greater than RE for PRAS40 (P < 0.05). Despite increased phosphorylation of Akt-PRAS40, phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (Ser(2448)) remained unchanged (P > 0.05), while rpS6 (Ser(235/236)) increased only in RE (10.4) (P < 0.05). CE and AE both resulted in increased peroxisome proliferator receptor-γ coactivator 1-α (PGC1α) expression at 1 h (CE = 2.9; AE = 2.8; P < 0.05) and 4 h (CE = 2.6; AE = 2.4) and PGC1β expression at 4 h (CE = 2.1; AE = 2.6; P < 0.05). These data suggest that CE-induced acute stimulation of myofibrillar and mitochondrial FSR, protein signaling, and mRNA expression are equivalent to either isolate mode (RE or AE). These results occurred without an interference effect on muscle protein subfractional synthesis rates, protein signaling, or mRNA expression.

Resistance exercise enhances the molecular signaling of mitochondrial biogenesis induced by endurance exercise in human skeletal muscle

Combining endurance and strength training (concurrent training) may change the adaptation compared with single mode training. However, the site of interaction and the mechanisms are unclear. We have investigated the hypothesis that molecular signaling of mitochondrial biogenesis after endurance exercise is impaired by resistance exercise. Ten healthy subjects performed either only endurance exercise (E; 1-h cycling at ∼65% of maximal oxygen uptake), or endurance exercise followed by resistance exercise (ER; 1-h cycling + 6 sets of leg press at 70–80% of 1 repetition maximum) in a randomized cross-over design. Muscle biopsies were obtained before and after exercise (1 and 3 h postcycling). The mRNA of genes related to mitochondrial biogenesis [(peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1 (PGC-1)α, PGC-1-related coactivator (PRC)] related coactivator) and substrate regulation (pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-4) increased after both E and ER, but the mRNA levels were about twofold higher after ER ( P < 0.01). Phosphorylation of proteins involved in the signaling cascade of protein synthesis [mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), ribosomal S6 kinase 1, and eukaryotic elongation factor 2] was altered after ER but not after E. Moreover, ER induced a larger increase in mRNA of genes associated with positive mTOR signaling (cMyc and Rheb). Phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and Akt increased similarly at 1 h postcycling ( P < 0.01) after both types of exercise. Contrary to our hypothesis, the results demonstrate that ER, performed after E, amplifies the adaptive signaling response of mitochondrial biogenesis compared with single-mode endurance exercise. The mechanism may relate to a cross talk between signaling pathways mediated by mTOR. The results suggest that concurrent training may be beneficial for the adaptation of muscle oxidative capacity.

Effect of heavy strength training on muscle thickness, strength, jump performance, and endurance performance in well-trained Nordic Combined athletes

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of supplemental heavy strength training on muscle thickness and determinants of performance in well-trained Nordic Combined athletes. Seventeen well-trained Nordic Combined athletes were assigned to either usual training supplemented with heavy strength training (STR; n = 8) or to usual training without heavy strength training (CON; n = 9). The strength training performed by STR consisted of one lower-body exercise and two upper-body exercises [3-5 repetition maximum (RM) sets of 3-8 repetitions], which were performed twice a week for 12 weeks. Architectural changes in m. vastus lateralis, 1RM in squat and seated pull-down, squat jump (SJ) height, maximal oxygen consumption (VO(2max)), work economy during submaximal treadmill skate rollerskiing, and performance in a 7.5-km rollerski time trial were measured before and after the intervention. STR increased 1RM in squat and seated pull-down, muscle thickness, and SJ performance more than CON (p < 0.05). There was no difference between groups in change in work economy. The two groups showed no changes in total body mass, VO(2max), or time-trial performance. In conclusion, 12 weeks of supplemental strength training improved determinants of performance in Nordic Combined by improving the athletes' strength and vertical jump ability without increasing total body mass or compromising the development of VO(2max).

Excess postexercise oxygen consumption is unaffected by the resistance and aerobic exercise order in an exercise session

The main purpose of this study was to compare the magnitude and duration of excess postexercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) after 2 exercise sessions with different exercise mode orders, resistance followed by aerobic exercise (R-A); aerobic by resistance exercise (A-R). Seven young men (19.6 ± 1.4 years) randomly underwent the 2 sessions. Aerobic exercise was performed on a treadmill for 30 minutes (80-85% of reserve heart rate). Resistance exercise consisted of 3 sets of 10 repetition maximum on 5 exercises. Previous to the exercise sessions, V(O2), heart rate, V(CO2), and respiratory exchange rate (RER) were measured for 15 minutes and again during recovery from exercise for 60 minutes. The EPOC magnitude was not significantly different between R-A (5.17 ± 2.26 L) and A-R (5.23 ± 2.48 L). Throughout the recovery period (60 minutes), V(O2) and HR values were significantly higher than those observed in the pre-exercise period (p < 0.05) in both exercise sessions. In the first 10 minutes of recovery, V(CO2) and RER declined to pre-exercise levels. Moreover, V(CO2) and RER values in A-R were significantly lower than in R-A. In conclusion, the main result of this study suggests that exercise mode order does not affect the EPOC magnitude and duration. Therefore, it is not necessary for an individual to consider the EPOC when making the decision as to which exercise mode is better to start a training session.

High volume of endurance training impairs adaptations to 12 weeks of strength training in well-trained endurance athletes

The purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of 12 weeks of strength training combined with a large volume of endurance training with the effect of strength training alone on the strength training adaptations. Well-trained cyclists with no strength training experience performed heavy strength training twice a week in addition to a high volume of endurance training during a 12-week preparatory period (S + E; n = 11). A group of non-strength trained individuals performed the same strength training as S + E, but without added endurance training (S; n = 7). Thigh muscle cross-sectional area, 1 repetition maximum (1RM) in leg exercises, squat jump performance, and peak rate of force development (RFD) were measured. Following the intervention period, both S + E and S increased 1RM strength, thigh muscle cross-sectional area, and squat jump performance (p < 0.05), and the relative improvements in S were greater than in S + E (p < 0.05). S increased peak RFD while S + E did not, and this improvement was greater than in S + E (p < 0.05). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first controlled study to demonstrate that the strength training response on muscle hypertrophy, 1RM strength, squat jump performance, and peak RFD is attenuated in well-trained endurance athletes during a period of concurrent endurance training.

Strategies to optimize concurrent training of strength and aerobic fitness for rowing and canoeing

During the last several decades many researchers have reported an interference effect on muscle strength development when strength and endurance were trained concurrently. The majority of these studies found that the magnitude of increase in maximum strength was higher in the group that performed only strength training compared with the concurrent training group, commonly referred to as the 'interference phenomenon'. Currently, concurrent strength and endurance training has become essential to optimizing athletic performance in middle- and long-distance events. Rowing and canoeing, especially in the case of Olympic events, with exercise efforts between 30 seconds and 8 minutes, require high amounts of maximal aerobic and anaerobic capacities as well as high levels of maximum strength and muscle power. Thus, strength training, in events such as rowing and canoeing, is integrated into the training plan. However, several studies indicate that the degree of interference is affected by the training protocols and there may be ways in which the interference effect can be minimized or avoided. Therefore, the aim of this review is to recommend strategies, based on research, to avoid or minimize any interference effect when training to optimize performance in endurance sports such as rowing and canoeing.

The influence of carbohydrate-protein co-ingestion following endurance exercise on myofibrillar and mitochondrial protein synthesis

The aim of the present study was to determine mitochondrial and myofibrillar muscle protein synthesis (MPS) when carbohydrate (CHO) or carbohydrate plus protein (C+P) beverages were ingested following prolonged cycling exercise. The intracellular mechanisms thought to regulate MPS were also investigated. In a single-blind, cross-over study, 10 trained cyclists (age 29 ± 6 years, VO2max 66.5 ± 5.1 ml kg(−1) min(−1)) completed two trials in a randomized order. Subjects cycled for 90 min at 77 ± 1% VO2max before ingesting a CHO (25 g of carbohydrate) or C+P (25 g carbohydrate + 10 g whey protein) beverage immediately and 30 min post-exercise. A primed constant infusion of L-[ring-(13)C6]phenylalanine began 1.5 h prior to exercise and continued until 4 h post-exercise. Muscle biopsy samples were obtained to determine myofibrillar and mitochondrial MPS and the phosphorylation of intracellular signalling proteins. Arterialized blood samples were obtained throughout the protocol. Plasma amino acid and urea concentrations increased following ingestion of C+P only. Serum insulin concentration increased more for C+P than CHO. Myofibrillar MPS was ∼35% greater for C+P compared with CHO (0.087 ± 0.007 and 0.057 ± 0.006% h(−1), respectively; P = 0.025). Mitochondrial MPS rates were similar for C+P and CHO (0.082 ± 0.011 and 0.086 ± 0.018% h(−1), respectively). mTOR(Ser2448) phosphorylation was greater for C+P compared with CHO at 4 h post-exercise (P < 0.05). p70S6K(Thr389) phosphorylation increased at 4 h post-exercise for C+P (P < 0.05), whilst eEF2(Thr56) phosphorylation increased by ∼40% at 4 h post-exercise for CHO only (P < 0.01). The present study demonstrates that the ingestion of protein in addition to carbohydrate stimulates an increase in myofibrillar, but not mitochondrial, MPS following prolonged cycling. These data indicate that the increase in myofibrillar MPS for C+P could, potentially, be mediated through p70S6K, downstream of mTOR, which in turn may suppress the rise in eEF2 on translation elongation.

Early time course of Akt phosphorylation after endurance and resistance exercise

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine the early time course of exercise-induced signaling after divergent contractile activity associated with resistance and endurance exercise.

METHODS

Sixteen male subjects were randomly assigned to either a cycling (CYC; n = 8, 60 min, 70% V˙O2peak) or resistance (REX; n = 8, 8 x 5 leg extension, 80% one-repetition maximum, 3-min recovery) exercise group. Serial muscle biopsies were obtained from vastus lateralis at rest before, immediately after, and after 15, 30, and 60 min of passive recovery to determine early signaling responses after exercise.

RESULTS

There were comparable increases from rest in Akt(Thr308/Ser473) and mTOR(Ser2448) phosphorylation during the postexercise time course that peaked 30-60 min after both CYC and REX (P < 0.05). There were also similar patterns in p70S6K(Thr389) and 4E-BP1(Thr37/46) phosphorylation, but a greater magnitude of effect was observed for REX and CYC, respectively (P < 0.05). However, AMPK(Thr172) phosphorylation was only significantly elevated after CYC (P < 0.05), and we observed divergent responses for glycogen synthase(Ser641) and AS160 phosphorylation that were enhanced after CYC but not REX (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

We show a similar time course for Akt-mTOR-S6K phosphorylation during the initial 60-min recovery period after divergent contractile stimuli. Conversely, enhanced phosphorylation status of proteins that promote glucose transport and glycogen synthesis only occurred after endurance exercise. Our results indicate that endurance and resistance exercise initiate translational signaling, but high-load, low-repetition contractile activity failed to promote phosphorylation of pathways regulating glucose metabolism.

Nutrient provision increases signalling and protein synthesis in human skeletal muscle after repeated sprints

The effect of nutrient availability on the acute molecular responses following repeated sprint exercise is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine skeletal muscle cellular and protein synthetic responses following repeated sprint exercise with nutrient provision. Eight healthy young male subjects undertook two sprint cycling sessions (10 × 6 s, 0.75 N m torque kg(-1), 54 s recovery) with either pre-exercise nutrient (24 g whey, 4.8 g leucine, 50 g maltodextrin) or non-caloric placebo ingestion. Muscle biopsies were taken from vastus lateralis at rest, and after 15 and 240 min post-exercise recovery to determine muscle cell signalling responses and protein synthesis by primed constant infusion of L: -[ring-(13)C(6)] phenylalanine. Peak and mean power outputs were similar between nutrient and placebo trials. Post-exercise myofibrillar protein synthetic rate was greater with nutrient ingestion compared with placebo (~48%, P < 0.05) but the rate of mitochondrial protein synthesis was similar between treatments. The increased myofibrillar protein synthesis following sprints with nutrient ingestion was associated with coordinated increases in Akt-mTOR-S6K-rpS6 phosphorylation 15 min post-exercise (~200-600%, P < 0.05), while there was no effect on these signalling molecules when exercise was undertaken in the fasted state. For the first time we report a beneficial effect of nutrient provision on anabolic signalling and muscle myofibrillar protein synthesis following repeated sprint exercise. Ingestion of protein/carbohydrate in close proximity to high-intensity sprint exercise provides an environment that increases cell signalling and protein synthesis.

Cytokine responses to carbohydrate ingestion during recovery from exercise-induced muscle injury

We investigated the effect of carbohydrate ingestion after maximal lengthening contractions of the knee extensors on circulating concentrations of myocellular proteins and cytokines, and cytokine mRNA expression in muscle. Using a cross-over design, 10 healthy males completed 5 sets of 10 lengthening (eccentric) contractions (unilateral leg press) at 120% 1 repetition-maximum. Subjects were randomized to consume a carbohydrate drink (15% weight per volume; 3 g/kg BM) for 3 h after exercise using one leg, or a placebo drink after exercise using the contralateral leg on another day. Blood samples (10 mL) were collected before exercise and after 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 min of recovery. Muscle biopsies (vastus lateralis) were collected before exercise and after 3 h of recovery. Following carbohydrate ingestion, serum concentrations of glucose (30-90 min and at 150 min) and insulin (30-180 min) increased (P < 0.05) above pre-exercise values. Serum myoglobin concentration increased ( approximately 250%; P < 0.05) after both trials. In contrast, serum cytokine concentrations were unchanged throughout recovery in both trials. Muscle mRNA expression for IL-8 (6.4-fold), MCP-1 (4.7-fold), and IL-6 (7.3-fold) increased substantially after carbohydrate ingestion. TNF-alpha mRNA expression did not change after either trial. Carbohydrate ingestion during early recovery from exercise-induced muscle injury may promote proinflammatory reactions within skeletal muscle.

Effects of 3 days unloading on molecular regulators of muscle size in humans

Changes in skeletal muscle mass are controlled by mechanisms that dictate protein synthesis or degradation. The current human study explored whether changes in activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt1, p38, myostatin, and mRNA expression of markers of protein degradation and synthesis occur soon after withdrawal of weight bearing. Biopsies of the vastus lateralis muscle (VL) and soleus muscle (Sol) were obtained from eight healthy men before and following 3 days of unilateral lower limb suspension (ULLS). Akt1, Forkhead box class O (FOXO)-1A, FOXO-3A, p38, and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) phosphorylation and protein levels and myostatin protein level were analyzed by Western blot. Levels of mRNA of IGF1, FOXO-1A, FOXO-3A, atrogin-1, MuRF-1, caspase-3, calpain-2, calpain-3, 4E-BP1, and myostatin were measured using real-time PCR. The amounts of phosphorylated Akt1, FOXO-1A, FOXO-3A, and p38 were unaltered ( P > 0.05) after ULLS. Similarly, mRNA levels of IGF1, FOXO-1A, FOXO-3A, caspase-3, calpain-2, and calpain-3 showed no changes ( P > 0.05). The mRNA levels of atrogin-1 and MuRF-1, as well as the mRNA and protein phosphorylation of 4E-BP1, increased ( P < 0.05) in VL but not in Sol. Both muscles showed increased ( P < 0.05) myostatin mRNA and protein following ULLS. These results suggest that pathways other than PI3K-Akt stimulate atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 expression within 3 days of ULLS. Alternatively, transient changes in these pathways occurred in the early phase of ULLS. The increased myostatin mRNA and protein expression also indicate that multiple processes are involved in the early phase of muscle wasting. Further, the reported difference in gene expression pattern across muscles suggests that mechanisms regulating protein content in human skeletal muscle are influenced by phenotype and/or function.

Characterization of the equine skeletal muscle transcriptome identifies novel functional responses to exercise training

Background

Digital gene expression profiling was used to characterize the assembly of genes expressed in equine skeletal muscle and to identify the subset of genes that were differentially expressed following a ten-month period of exercise training. The study cohort comprised seven Thoroughbred racehorses from a single training yard. Skeletal muscle biopsies were collected at rest from the gluteus medius at two time points: T₁ - untrained, (9 ± 0.5 months old) and T₂ - trained (20 ± 0.7 months old).

Results

The most abundant mRNA transcripts in the muscle transcriptome were those involved in muscle contraction, aerobic respiration and mitochondrial function. A previously unreported over-representation of genes related to RNA processing, the stress response and proteolysis was observed. Following training 92 tags were differentially expressed of which 74 were annotated. Sixteen genes showed increased expression, including the mitochondrial genes ACADVL, MRPS21 and SLC25A29 encoded by the nuclear genome. Among the 58 genes with decreased expression, MSTN, a negative regulator of muscle growth, had the greatest decrease.

Functional analysis of all expressed genes using FatiScan revealed an asymmetric distribution of 482 Gene Ontology (GO) groups and 18 KEGG pathways. Functional groups displaying highly significant (P < 0.0001) increased expression included mitochondrion, oxidative phosphorylation and fatty acid metabolism while functional groups with decreased expression were mainly associated with structural genes and included the sarcoplasm, laminin complex and cytoskeleton.

Conclusion

Exercise training in Thoroughbred racehorses results in coordinate changes in the gene expression of functional groups of genes related to metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation and muscle structure.

Effect of consecutive repeated sprint and resistance exercise bouts on acute adaptive responses in human skeletal muscle

We examined acute molecular responses in skeletal muscle to repeated sprint and resistance exercise bouts. Six men [age, 24.7 ± 6.3 yr; body mass, 81.6 ± 7.3 kg; peak oxygen uptake, 47 ± 9.9 ml·kg−1·min−1; one repetition maximum (1-RM) leg extension 92.2 ± 12.5 kg; means ± SD] were randomly assigned to trials consisting of either resistance exercise (8 × 5 leg extension, 80% 1-RM) followed by repeated sprints (10 × 6 s, 0.75 N·m torque·kg−1) or vice-versa. Muscle biopsies from vastus lateralis were obtained at rest, 15 min after each exercise bout, and following 3-h recovery to determine early signaling and mRNA responses. There was divergent exercise order-dependent phosphorylation of p70 S6K (S6K). Specifically, initial resistance exercise increased S6K phosphorylation (∼75% P < 0.05), but there was no effect when resistance exercise was undertaken after sprints. Exercise decreased IGF-I mRNA following 3-h recovery (∼50%, P = 0.06) independent of order, while muscle RING finger mRNA was elevated with a moderate exercise order effect ( P < 0.01). When resistance exercise was followed by repeated sprints PGC-1α mRNA was increased (REX1-SPR2; P = 0.02) with a modest distinction between exercise orders. Repeated sprints may promote acute interference on resistance exercise responses by attenuating translation initiation signaling and exacerbating ubiquitin ligase expression. Indeed, repeated sprints appear to generate the overriding acute exercise-induced response when undertaking concurrent repeated sprint and resistance exercise. Accordingly, we suggest that sprint-activities are isolated from resistance training and that adequate recovery time is considered within periodized training plans that incorporate these divergent exercise modes.

mTOR function in skeletal muscle: a focal point for overnutrition and exercise

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a highly conserved atypical serine–threonine kinase that controls numerous functions essential for cell homeostasis and adaptation in mammalian cells via 2 distinct protein complex formations. Moreover, mTOR is a key regulatory protein in the insulin signalling cascade and has also been characterized as an insulin-independent nutrient sensor that may represent a critical mediator in obesity-related impairments of insulin action in skeletal muscle. Exercise characterizes a remedial modality that enhances mTOR activity and subsequently promotes beneficial metabolic adaptation in skeletal muscle. Thus, the metabolic effects of nutrients and exercise have the capacity to converge at the mTOR protein complexes and subsequently modify mTOR function. Accordingly, the aim of the present review is to highlight the role of mTOR in the regulation of insulin action in response to overnutrition and the capacity for exercise to enhance mTOR activity in skeletal muscle.

Molecular responses to strength and endurance training: Are they incompatible?This paper article is one of a selection of papers published in this Special Issue, entitled 14th International Biochemistry of Exercise Conference – Muscles as Molecular and Metabolic Machines, and has undergone the Journal’s usual peer review process

Simultaneously training for both strength and endurance results in a compromised adaptation, compared with training for either exercise mode alone. This has been variously described as the concurrent training effect or the interference effect. It now appears that the genetic and molecular mechanisms of adaptation induced by resistance- and endurance-based training are distinct, with each mode of exercise activating and (or) repressing specific subsets of genes and cellular signalling pathways. This brief review will summarize our current understanding of the molecular responses to strength and endurance training, and will examine the molecular evidence for an interference effect when concurrent training is undertaken. A better understanding of the activation and interaction of the molecular pathways in response to these different modes of exercise will permit sport scientists to develop improved training programs capable of maximizing both strength and endurance.