Objective: Stretching exercise is known to induce muscle hypertrophy and is implicated in the modulation of muscle fiber behavior. We aim to determine whether stretching exercise is protective against reloading-induced muscle damage in immobilized rat soleus muscle. Methods: Rat hindlimbs in 54 eight-week-old male Wistar rats were immobilized by cast for 4 weeks, followed by reloading alone through normal ambulation in 24 (group NS) and after passive stretch in 25 rats (group S). Stretching exercise (30 min each day) lasted 6 days. To determine if passive stretching affects expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in rat soleus muscle during reloading following cast immobilization, the ratio of invading muscle fibers and HSPs expression were measured following cast removal. Results: The ratio of invading muscle fibers increased during the first and second days of reloading in group NS. Compared with reloading alone, stretching exercise reduced invading muscle fibers at most time points following cast removal (group S). Additionally, expression of HSP25 and HSP72 increased with time during reloading only in the group without passive stretch (group NS). Conclusion: Following immobilization, in the rat soleus muscle passive stretching exercise protects against injury induced by reloading. Furthermore, the protection provided by passive stretch is independent of HSPs.

Keywords:
Cast immobilization, Stretching exercise, Muscle damage, Heat shock protein
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel
2009
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.