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Adjustments of muscle capillarity but not mitochondrial protein with skiing in the elderly
Author(s) -
Ginkel S.,
Amami M.,
Dela F.,
Niederseer D.,
Narici M. V.,
Niebauer J.,
Scheiber P.,
Müller E.,
Flück M.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/sms.12324
Subject(s) - medicine , vastus medialis , cardiology , endocrinology , vo2 max , aerobic capacity , cardiorespiratory fitness , heart rate , blood pressure , electromyography , physical medicine and rehabilitation
Downhill skiing in the elderly increases maximal oxygen uptake ( VO 2max ) and carbohydrate handling, and produces muscle hypertrophy. We hypothesized that adjustments of the cellular components of aerobic glucose combustion in knee extensor muscle, and cardiovascular adjustments, would increase in proportion to VO 2max . Nineteen healthy elderly subjects (age 67.5 ± 2.9 years) who completed 28.5 days of guided downhill skiing over 3 months were assessed for anthropometric variables, cardiovascular parameters (heart rate, hematocrit), VO 2max , and compared with controls ( n = 20). Biopsies of vastus lateralis muscle were analyzed for capillary density and expression of respiratory chain markers ( NDUFA 9, SDHA , UQCRC 1, ATP 5 A 1) and the glucose transporter GLUT 4. Statistical significance was assessed with a repeated analysis of variance and F isher's post‐hoc test at a P value of 5%. VO 2max increased selectively with ski training (+7 ± 2%). Capillary density (+11 ± 5%) and capillary‐to‐fiber ratio (12 ± 5%), but not the concentration of metabolic proteins, in vastus lateralis were increased after skiing. Cardiovascular parameters did not change. Fold changes in VO 2max and capillary‐to‐fiber ratio were correlated and were under genetic control by polymorphisms of the regulator of vascular tone, angiotensin converting enzyme. The observations indicate that increased VO 2max after recreational downhill ski training is associated with improved capillarity in a mainly recruited muscle group.