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Int J Sports Med 1980; 01(4): 181-184
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1034656
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© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Contractile Properties of Rat Soleus After Different Types of Weight Lifting

M. M. Jaweed, G. J. Herbison, J. F. Ditunno Jr. 
  • Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 11th and Sansom Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
Acknowledgments: The authors are thankful to Ms. J. Clark and L. Alfredson for their assistance in training the animals and to Ms. E. McClain for her secretarial help.
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Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

The contractile properties of adult rat soleus were evaluated in response to an “isometric type” and a repetitive isotonic weight lifting exercise. After 6 weeks of training, the maximum twitch (Pt) and tetanic (PO) tension and contraction times (CT) were compared in the control and exercised groups. The data revealed a nonspecific potentiation of Pt in the exercised groups without any change in the PO. The repetitive isotonic weight lifting significantly prolonged the CT of the muscle, which suggests that the stimulus of this exercise may induce a physiologic “slowing” in the muscle via alterations of the sarcoplasmic reticular system.

Key Words

contraction time - exercise - muscle - twitch - tetanic tension