Scientists from the University of Basel found that the activity of thousands of genes in muscles changes after exercise. At the same time, the cell response to movement differs in untrained and resilient mice. The research was published in the journal Nature Metabolism.
In a new study, scientists compared gene activity in two types of muscles in mice: untrained and stress-adapted muscles, meaning they can withstand stress more effectively for longer periods of time.
The activity of approximately 250 genes was different in trained muscles at rest compared with untrained muscles. But in the post-intensive training phase, the activity of a larger number of genes changed: from 1800 to 2500. Specific changes depended on the type of training.
For example, in untrained muscles, exercise-activated inflammatory genes have been associated with the occurrence of microtrauma. Second, it causes muscle soreness after a tough workout. This did not happen in trained mice: genes that protect muscles were activated.
The results mean that regular endurance training alters gene activity in both the short and long term, allowing muscles to adapt to exercise stress more quickly.
Now scientists plan to find out whether their results can be transferred to humans. In competitive sports, tests for the activity of certain genes can be used to increase the effectiveness of training.
More importantly, the scientists said, “Understanding how healthy muscles work allows us to understand what goes wrong in disease. This is critical for discovering innovative ways to treat age- or disease-related muscle wasting.”