Skeletal muscle enlargement with weight-lifting exercise by rats

A rat model of weight lifting that produces skeletal muscle enlargement utilizing regimens of resistance training similar to those employed in human training programs is described. The model consists of electrically stimulating the lower leg muscles to contract against a weighted pulley bar. Animals were subjected to training protocols employing low-frequency repetitions with high training loads within a training session. Initial maximum loads of between 200 and 800 g were progressively increased during the 16 wk of training. Work done at the end of the training period increased to an average value 66% higher than that performed at the start of training. The gastrocnemius wet weight and protein content increased (P less than 0.001) by 18 and 17%, respectively, in the stimulated loaded leg in all but one training protocol, a program in which rats were exercised more frequently. RNA content, but not concentration, was increased in the trained gastrocnemius muscle from each protocol, resulting in muscle enlargement. These data indicate that the basic model presented here provides a suitable vehicle for future studies into the biochemical events that may cause skeletal muscle enlargement during resistance training but, based on limited data, suggests that an increased frequency of training days may hinder muscle enlargement in this model.