Mechanical properties of the latissimus dorsi muscle after cyclic training

Cardiomyoplasty is a procedure developed to improve heart performance in patients suffering from congestive heart failure. The latissimus dorsi (LD) muscle is surgically wrapped around the failing ventricles and stimulated to contract in synchrony with the heart. The LD muscle is easily fatigued and as a result is unsuitable for cardiomyoplasty. For useful operation as a cardiac-assist device, the fatigue resistance of the LD muscle must be improved while retaining a high power output. The LD muscle of rabbits was subjected to a training regime in which cyclic work was performed. Training transformed the fiber-type composition from approximately equal proportions of fast oxidative glycolytic (FOG) and fast glycolytic (FG) fibers to one composed of almost entirely of FOG with no FG, which increased fatigue resistance while retaining rapid contraction kinetics. Muscle mass and cross-sectional area increased but power output decreased, relative to control muscles. This training regime represents a significant improvement in terms of preserving muscle mass and power compared with other training regimes, while enhancing fatigue resistance, although some fiber damage occurred. The power output of the trained LD muscle was calculated to be sufficient to deliver a significant level of assistance to a failing heart during cardiomyoplasty.