Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of resistance training
on glycogen content and muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) in ovariectomized rats.
Wistar rats were divided into: sedentary; ovariectomized sedentary; resistance trained;
and ovariectomized resistance trained. In the 12-week resistance training, the animals
climbed a 1.1 m vertical ladder, 3 days per week, with 4–8 climbs. Cardiac, liver
and muscle glycogen content was determined. After the 12-week resistance training
period there was a higher hepatic and muscle glycogen content in the resistance training
group compared with the other groups (p<0.01). CSA was higher in soleus for the resistance
trained, ovariectomized resistance trained and sedentary compared with ovariectomized
sedentary (p<0.05). Ovariectomy attenuated the increase in liver and muscle glycogen
content, while soleus muscle cross-sectional area increased with resistance training,
even in ovariectomized rats. Resistance training could be an important exercise to
increase muscle function in situations of reduced estrogen and progesterone.
Key words
resistance training - glycogen - skeletal muscle - ovariectomy - rats - cross-sectional
area