To investigate changes in the ultrastructure of the different muscle fiber types induced by endurance training ten sedentary subjects (five women and five men) were exercised on bicycle ergometers 5 times a week for 30 min. After 6 weeks of training there were significant changes in VO2max (+14%), in the percentage of type I (+12%) and type IIB fibers (-24%) as well as in the volume densities of mitochondria. The latter increased 35% in type I, 55% in type IIA and 35% in type IIB fibers. The relative increase in subsarcolemmal mitochondria was larger than in interfibrillar mitochondria in all fiber types. There was also a significant increase in the volume density of intracellular lipid in type II fibres. It is concluded that high intensity endurance training leads to an enhancement of the oxidative capacity in all muscle fiber types.

SUMMARYAn evaluation is made of the relative efficiency (precision of the final estimate per unit time of measurement on a given set of sections) of different methods for planar analysis aimed at estimating aggregate, overall stereological parameters (such as Vv, Sv). The methods tested are point‐counting with different densities of test points (4 ≤ PT ≤ 900 per picture), semiautomatic computer image analysis with MOP and automatic image analysis with Quantimet, for obtaining Vv and Sv estimates. One biological sample as well as three synthetic model structures with known coefficients of variation between sections are used. The standard error of an estimate is mainly determined by the coefficient of variation between sampling units (= sections in the present paper) so that measuring each sample unit with a very high precision is not necessary. Automatic image analysis and point‐counting with a 100‐point grid were the most efficient methods for reducing the relative standard errors of the Vv and Sv estimates to equivalent levels in the synthetic models. Using a 64‐point grid was as precise, and about 11 times faster than using a tracing device for obtaining the estimate of Vv in the biological sample.

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Length density, anisotropy, skeletal muscle capillaries. S U M M A R YThe accurate estimation of stereological parameters defined on anisotropic structures is a long-standing problem. In this paper we seek to estimate the capillary length density J v in skeletal muscle tissue. A well-known model for directional anisotropy in space, namely the 'spherical normal' or 'Fisher axial distribution' model, is found to fit the relevant data satisfactorily. Based on this model, a short-cut estimation method is proposed and illustrated with a numerical example. This method essentially consists in taking the ratio of mean capillary profile counts, as obtained from transversal and longitudinal sections of the muscle tissue, and making use of a table or a graph given in the paper to estimate .Jv. The conditions under which the methods are applicable and practicable are discussed in detail. Apart from an accurate estimation of .Ivy an important feature of our method is the possibility of quantifying the degree of anisotropy by a coefficient K (called the concentration parameter of the Fisher axial distribution), which enjoys both a biological significance and a sound statistical basis.

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