Effects of a Bout of Downhill Running on Skeletal Muscle Function and Ca<sup>2+</sup> Handling in Mouse Extensor Digitorum Longus Muscle

Abstract

Introduction: Exercise training can increase muscle mass and improve function. However, acute unaccustomed exercise often induces muscle damage and impaires muscle strength. Although the decrease of muscle strength after exercise is due to many factors, the disruption of Ca2+ homeostasis also may be a factor of the muscle weakness, because intramuscular Ca2+ transients are important for forming myosin-actin cross-bridge, which drives muscle contraction. Here, we investigated the effects of a bout of downhill running on muscle function and intracellular calcium handling in mouse extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle.