STUDY ON OPTIMAL STARTING PERIOD OF POWER SPRINT TRAINING DURING GROWTH IN RATS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the optimal starting period of muscle power training during growth. Thirty-three Wistar strain male rats were used and classified into four groups, control group, 3T group started a training at 3 weeks after birth (weaning period), 8T group started a training at 8 weeks after birth (puberty period) and 13T group started a training at 13 weeks after birth (beginning of mature period) . Each training group was subjected to a power sprint training till 23 weeks after birth (mature period) .
The results were summarlized as follows;
1) Hypertrophy and increase of contractile properties in muscle were not seen in each training group.
2) Muscle glycogen contents increased significantly in 3T group (p<0.05) and in 8T, 13T group (p<0.01) .
3) Muscle fiber area increased significantly in 8T group only.
4) Phosphofructokinase activity in muscle increased significantly in 8T group only.
These results suggest that 8 weeks after birth, the puberty period may be the most effective starting period of power sprint training during growth in rats.