Mechanisms underlying enhancements in muscle force and power output during maximal cycle ergometer exercise induced by chronic beta(2)-adrenergic stimulation in men

• The study was a randomized placebo-controlled trial investigating mechanisms by which chronic beta(2)-adrenergic stimulation enhances muscle force and power output during maximal cycle ergometer exercise in young men. Eighteen trained men were assigned to an experimental group [oral terbutaline 5 mg/30 kg body weight (bw) twice daily (TER); n = 9] or a control group [placebo (PLA); n = 9] for a 4-wk intervention. No changes were observed with the intervention in PLA. Isometric muscle force of the quadriceps increased (P <= 0.01) by 97 +/- 29 N (means +/- SE) with the intervention in TER compared with PLA. Peak and mean power output during 30 s of maximal cycling increased (P <= 0.01) by 32 +/- 8 and 25 +/- 9 W, respectively, with the intervention in TER compared with PLA. Maximal oxygen consumption ((V) over dotO(2)max) and time to fatigue during incremental cycling did not change with the intervention. Lean body mass increased by 1.95 +/- 0.8 kg (P <= 0.05) with the intervention in TER compared with PLA. Change in single fiber cross-sectional area of myosin heavy chain (MHC) I (1,205 +/- 558 mu m(2); P <= 0.01) and MHC II fibers (1,277 +/- 595 mu m(2); P <= 0.05) of the vastus lateralis muscle was higher for TER than PLA with the intervention, whereas no changes were observed in MHC isoform distribution. Expression of muscle proteins involved in growth, ion handling, lactate production, and clearance increased (P <= 0.05) with the intervention in TER compared with PLA, with no change in oxidative enzymes. Our observations suggest that muscle hypertrophy is the primary mechanism underlying enhancements in muscle force and peak power during maximal cycling induced by chronic beta(2-)adrenergic stimulation in humans.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Fysiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Physiology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

beta-adrenoceptor

Ca2+ handling

contractile properties

muscle growth

doping

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)