Animal model for progressive resistance exercise: a detailed description of model and its implications for basic research in exercise

Abstract

Abstract:The Several animal models have been proposed for resistance training. In addition, the results of these studies have been highly variable. Some of the studies have used negative reinforcement, electric shock or food deprivation to motivate the learning of the task. Features such as conditioning through electric shock may undermine the significance of the results or even prevent the model from being successfully executed. Due to these reasons, in this study we propose to use an adaptation of the vertical ladder climbing model for progressive resistance training in rats, albeit with a unique feature to ensure the homogeneity of the study groups: a period of adaptation to the apparatus without any negative reinforcement followed by a subsequent pairing of animals based on their ability to learn. The animals were distributed in the experimental group who were subjected to 8 weeks of a progressive resistance exercise protocol and the control group. After 8wks, the gastrocnemius, soleus, flexor digitorum longus (FDL), and plantaris muscles were removed and the cross-sectional area morphometry was obtened. The animals from experimental group showed hypertrophy [F(4, 15) .92], without modifications for soleus. All animals successfully completed the 8-week progressive resistance training program without any injuries, abandonment or death. Negative reinforcements such as electric shock were not required at any time in the experiment. In conclusion, we showed an adaptation of the previus model for progressive resistance training in rats. A period of adaptation to the apparatus without any negative reinforcement followed by a subsequent pairing of animals based on their ability to learn may be a alternative strategy for the original protocol. We also observed hypertrophy (gastrocnemius, FDL, and plantaris) showed the vality of this procolos for resistance exercise issues. The results of this study may be useful in basic/ applied neuroscience research and resistance exercise. Keywords: Strength training. Hypertrophy. Animals. Exercise. Vertical ladder climbing model. Modelo animal de exercício resistido progressivo: descrição detalhada do modelo e a sua implicação à pesquisa básica com exercícioResumo: Alguns modelos animais de treinamento resistido vem sendo proprostos ao longo do tempo, com resultados variáveis e por vezes conflitantes. Contudo, todos eles utilizam reforço negativo ao ensinar os animais o aprendizado da tarefa, por exemplo, choque elétrico ou privação alimentar e tais condicionamentos podem interferir de algma forma na variável estudada. Por estas razões, este estudo propões uma adaptação de um modelo de treinamento resistido de subida em escada vertical já existente, mas com um período de familiarização ao equipamento, sem choque elétrico, seguido pela distribuição de acordo com o desempenho do aprendizado de subida em escada. Os animais foram distribuídos em: grupo experimental (submetido a oito semanas de treinamento resistido) e grupo controle. Após a intervenção, os músculos gastrocnemius, so...

Progressive resistance training prevents loss of muscle mass and strength in bile duct‐ligated rats

“…As seen in previous studies, specific exercise protocols affect certain muscles. Similar resistance training protocols have led to regional hypertrophy in gastrocnemius, flexor hallucis and digitorum longus muscles—all important climbing muscles . Therefore, since only certain muscles may benefit from the exercise protocol, this may explain insignificant changes in lean body mass between the two groups.…”

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“…Strength training in rodents can be achieved through resistancebased training such as a squat-training apparatus, 26 weight pulling on a treadmill, 27 and ladder climbing with weights attached to their tails. 28 Studies examining the beneficial effects of strength training in rodents are not as plentiful as the aerobic exercise studies. However, it has been found that adult male Wistar rats that underwent 8 weeks of resistance training on a vertical ladder showed improved learning and spatial memory on the Morris Water Maze that mirrored their treadmill-running peers, when compared to control animals.…”

Animal models of resistance exercise and their application to neuroscience research

“…Whereas many ladder-climbing procedures use noxious stimuli (e.g., electric shock, food deprivation) to maintain behavior, others have successfully maintained climbing without the repeated use of potentially painful stimuli (Cassilhas et al, 2012a, 2012b, 2013; Nokia et al, 2016; Strickland et al, 2016). For example, our laboratory recently used a modified climbing protocol in which rats were trained to climb a ladder (46 cm long, 90° incline) with a dark chamber at the top and a bright light positioned at the bottom of the ladder to motivate subjects to climb (Strickland et al, 2016).…”