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Updated: Mar 22, 2026

Human Skeletal Muscle Biopsy Procedures Using the Modified Bergström Technique
Published on: September 10, 2014
Physical exercise during muscle regeneration improves recovery of the slow/oxidative phenotype
Nathalie Koulmann1,2, Hélène Richard-Bulteau1, Brigitte Crassous1
1Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, Département Environnements Opérationnels, Bretigny-Sur-Orge, France.
Introduction:
As skeletal muscle mass recovery after extensive injury is improved by contractile activity, we explored whether concomitant exercise accelerates recovery of the contractile and metabolic phenotypes after muscle injury.
Methods:
After notexin-induced degeneration of a soleus muscle, Wistar rats were assigned to active (running exercise) or sedentary groups. Myosin heavy chains (MHC), metabolic enzymes, and calcineurin were studied during muscle regeneration at different time points.
Results:
The mature MHC profile recovered earlier in active rats (21 days after injury) than in sedentary rats (42 days). Calcineurin was higher in the active degenerated than in the sedentary degenerated muscles at day 14. Citrate synthase and total lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity decreased after injury and were similarly recovered in both active and sedentary groups at 14 or 42 days, respectively. H-LDH isozyme activity recovered earlier in the active rats.
Conclusions:
Exercise improved recovery of the slow/oxidative phenotype after soleus muscle injury. Muscle Nerve 55: 91-100, 2017.
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