Effects of an anabolic steroid and sprint training on selected histochemical and morphological observations in rat skeletal muscle types

The effects on selected histochemical and morphological parameters of anabolic steroid administration and of high-intensity sprint running, separately, and in combination, were studied in young adult male rats. Dianabol (methandrostenolone) 1 mg/day for 8 weeks had no significant effects on phosphorylase or glycogen staining intensities and on fiber area in skeletal muscles of either trained or sedentary animals. The program of sprint training resulted in significantly decreased intensities of phosphorylase in all ten regions of the gastrocnemius, plantaris, and soleus muscles that were studied. Glycogen localization was significantly increased with training in five regions of the gastrocnemius and plantaris muscles which contained predominantly fast-switch fibers. No changes in fiber area occurred with the training program. We conclude from these results that (a) normal androgen levels in young, healthy male animals are sufficiently high so that the intake of large doses of anabolic steroid does not result in the stimulation of glycogen metabolism or hypertrophy of skeletal muscle; (b) the changes induced by high-intensity, short-duration sprint training suggest that the existing glycolytic capacity of muscle is adequate to supply the muscles energy needs even during the stress of very strenous exercise, and that more fast-twitch fibers were recruited by the exercise regimen than slow-twitch fibers.