Multiple Applications of Different Exercise Modalities with Rodents

Abstract

A large proportion of chronic diseases can be derived from a sedentary lifestyle. Raising physical activity awareness is indispensable, as lack of exercise is the fourth most common cause of death worldwide. Animal models in different research fields serve as important tools in the study of acute or chronic noncommunicable disorders. With the help of animal-based exercise research, exercise-mediated complex antioxidant and inflammatory pathways can be explored, which knowledge can be transferred to human studies. Whereas sustained physical activity has an enormous number of beneficial effects on many organ systems, these animal models are easily applicable in several research areas. This review is aimed at providing an overall picture of scientific research studies using animal models with a focus on different training modalities. Without wishing to be exhaustive, the most commonly used forms of exercise are presented.

Distinct Effects of High-Fat and High-Phosphate Diet on Glucose Metabolism and the Response to Voluntary Exercise in Male Mice

“…We hypothesized that HPD would decrease the amount of distance mice would voluntarily run when housed with access to a wheel ad libidum , but there was no difference in running distance between LFPD and HPD after 8 weeks of voluntary wheel training. This may be a result of exercise intensity; voluntary wheel running is a low-intensity exercise and it is possible that high serum phosphate only impairs high-intensity exercise [ 35 ]. Since phosphate plays a key role in muscle contraction [ 36 ], it would not be surprising if high serum phosphate has a greater effect on muscle contractility in response to maximal intensity exercise.…”

Walking, Running, Swimming: An Analysis of the Effects of Land and Water Aerobic Exercises on Cognitive Functions and Neural Substrates

“…The minimal stress imposed to animals allows to easily realize long-term exposures. In addition, running wheels may be used as an involuntary exercise paradigm, by utilizing motorized wheels, which provide the researcher with the greater possibility of experimental variable controls [ 22 ]. However, the more widely used model of involuntary exercise is the walking/running treadmill .…”

“…Moreover, rodent models provide the possibility of carrying out specific studies on the effects of anaerobic and aerobic physical activities by using specifical exercise tools and animals housed in conventional cages (without specifical exercise tools) as control subjects. Human anaerobic activities are modeled in animal resistance training designed to increase muscular strength and power and physical capacity [ 22 ]. Among the various models, an example of widely used procedures is ladder climbing, in which the animal is progressively trained to climb a ladder with a fixed load to the tail [ 23 ].…”

Moderate-Intensity Swimming Alleviates Oxidative Injury in Ischemic Heart

“…As sedentary lifestyle has been identified as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, it goes without saying that regular physical activity has long been shown to be an effective way to reduce cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Exercise is known to improve blood flow to the heart and lower blood pressure and has also been shown to have antioxidant and cholesterol-lowering effects [8]. Exercise, by enhancing the function of antioxidant enzyme systems, can contribute to the improvement in adverse parameters following infarction [9,10].…”