Abstract:

BACKGROUND: There are many studies on the effects of different exercise intensities on the body, but studies about the effects of different exercise intensities on the activity of mitochondrial Na⁺, K⁺-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), Ca2⁺-ATPase and mitochondrial swelling are few.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of different exercise intensities on the activity of mitochondrial Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and Ca2⁺-ATPase, as well as mitochondrial swelling.
METHODS: Twenty-four Sprague Dawley rats were randomly separated into three groups, namely, control, mid-intensity, high-intensity exercise groups. The control rats did not undergo swimming training, while the other two groups were given 4-week swimming exercises of different intensities.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the control group, the Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and Ca2⁺-ATPase activities increased (P < 0.05) and the extent of mitochondrial swelling decreased (P < 0.05) in the mid-intensity exercise group, but opposite in the high-intensity exercise group. These findings indicate that mid-intensity exercise can protect the activity of mitochondrial Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and Ca2⁺-ATPase and increase the function of mitochondria, but high-intensity exercise can decrease the function of mitochondria.