LDH isozymes in skeletal muscles of endurance and strength trained athletes

Muscle biopsy samples were obtained from arm and leg muscles of endurance and strength trained athletes, respectively. Total LDH activity as well as occurrence and activity of LDH isozymes were determined. Comparing the results from the athletes with those from non-trained subjects with corresponding fibre compositions, it was found that the endurance athletes had a lower total LDH activity, a higher relative activity of the most heart-specific isozymes. LDH (1 + 2), and, on electrophoretic separation, a complete absence of LDH (4 + 5) in both arm and leg muscles. As compared to the untrained material the strength trained athletes tended to have a higher total LDH activity, a similar distribution of relative isozyme activities, and, in the leg muscles, a strong electrophoretic band corresponding to LDH 5, the most skeletal muscle specific isozyme.