Methodological validation of a vertical ladder with low intensity shock stimulus for resistance training in C57BL/6 mice: Effects on muscle mass and strength, body composition, and lactate plasma levels

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a vertical ladder device for resistance exercises with or without electrical shock stimulus on muscle strength, body composition, limb volume, muscle fibres and plasma lactate and glycemia of female mice. This device is represented by a vertical ladder with electrostimulation. It was analysed in groups of C57BL/6 mice practicing spontaneous physical activity in enriched environment, practicing resisted climbing exercises, practicing resistance exercises with the utility model in question and controls. The acute effects of blood lactate and dark light-box behaviour, and the short-term chronic effects of muscle strength, limb volume, body composition, muscle fibre area, and central and light-dark quantification were verified. According to the findings, the vertical electrostimulation ladder model presented acute effects on lactate levels, similar to other experimental models of resistance exercise and physical activity. The behaviour in the light-dark box test showed no difference between the groups. Regarding the short-term chronic response, the best results were obtained in the impact-stimulated resistive exercise in the limb traction muscle variables, greater brown adipose tissue weight, greater quadriceps femoral muscle structure, limb and greater weight number of nuclei in the skeletal striated muscle fibres. The use of the prototype showed similarities in the acute and chronic adaptations expected in resistance training. However, new study proposals should be encouraged, as the data presented here are the first notes on the use of this utility model.

Keywords

• Resistance exercise
• Physical exercise
• Rodents
• Shock
• Climbing