Exercise training has been minimally explored as a therapy to mitigate the loss of muscle strength for individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Voluntary wheel running is known to elicit beneficial adaptations in the mdx mouse model for DMD. The aim of this study was to examine progressive resistance wheel running in mdx mice by comprehensively testing muscle function before, during, and after a 12-week training period. Male mdx mice at ~4 weeks age were randomized into three groups: Sedentary, Free Wheel, and Resist Wheel. Muscle strength was assessed via in vivo dorsiflexion torque, grip strength, and whole body tension intermittently throughout the training period. Contractility of isolated soleus muscles was analyzed at the study’s conclusion. Both Free and Resist Wheel mice had greater grip strength (~22%) and soleus muscle specific tetanic force (26%) compared with Sedentary mice. This study demonstrates that two modalities of voluntary exercise are beneficial to dystrophic muscle and may help establish parameters for an exercise prescription for DMD.
Purpose We tested the hypothesis that low intensity vibration training in mice improves contractile function of hindlimb skeletal muscles and promotes exercise-related cellular adaptations. Methods We subjected C57BL/6J mice to 6 wk, 5 d·wk−1, 15 min·d−1 of sham or low intensity vibration (45 Hz, 1.0 g) while housed in traditional cages (Sham-Active, n=8; Vibrated-Active, n=10) or in small cages to restrict physical activity (Sham-Restricted, n=8; Vibrated-Restricted, n=8). Contractile function and resistance to fatigue were tested in vivo (anterior and posterior crural muscles) and ex vivo on the soleus muscle. Tibialis anterior and soleus muscles were evaluated histologically for alterations in oxidative metabolism, capillarity, and fiber types. Epididymal fat pad and hindlimb muscle masses were measured. Two-way ANOVAs were used to determine effects of vibration and physical inactivity. Results Vibration training resulted in a 10% increase in maximal isometric torque (P=0.038) and 16% faster maximal rate of relaxation (P=0.030) of the anterior crural muscles. Posterior crural muscles were unaffected by vibration, with the exception of greater rates of contraction in Vibrated-Restricted mice compared to Vibrated-Active and Sham-Restricted mice (P=0.022). Soleus muscle maximal isometric tetanic force tended to be greater (P=0.057) and maximal relaxation was 20% faster (P=0.005) in Vibrated compared to Sham mice. Restriction of physical activity induced muscle weakness but was not required for vibration to be effective in improving strength or relaxation. Vibration training did not impact muscle fatigability or any indicator of cellular adaptation investigated (P≥0.431). Fat pad but not hindlimb muscle masses were affected by vibration training. Conclusion Vibration training in mice improved muscle contractility, specifically strength and relaxation rates, with no indication of adverse effects to muscle function or cellular adaptations.
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