Volume 601, Issue 17 p. 3825-3846
Research Article

Resistance training diminishes mitochondrial adaptations to subsequent endurance training in healthy untrained men

Paulo H. C. Mesquita

Paulo H. C. Mesquita

School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA

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Joshua S. Godwin

Joshua S. Godwin

School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA

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Bradley A. Ruple

Bradley A. Ruple

School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA

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Casey L. Sexton

Casey L. Sexton

School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA

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Mason C. McIntosh

Mason C. McIntosh

School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA

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Breanna J. Mueller

Breanna J. Mueller

School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA

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Shelby C. Osburn

Shelby C. Osburn

School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA

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C. Brooks Mobley

C. Brooks Mobley

School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA

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Cleiton A. Libardi

Cleiton A. Libardi

Department of Physical Education, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil

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Kaelin C. Young

Kaelin C. Young

Biomedical Sciences, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, Yakima, WA, USA

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L. Bruce Gladden

L. Bruce Gladden

School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA

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Michael D. Roberts

Corresponding Author

Michael D. Roberts

School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Auburn, AL, USA

Corresponding authors Andreas N. Kavazis: School of Kinesiology, Director, Muscle Biohemistry Laboratory, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.  Email: [email protected]

Michael D. Roberts: School of Kinesiology, Director, Molecular and Applied Sciences Laboratory, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.  Email: [email protected]

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Andreas N. Kavazis

Corresponding Author

Andreas N. Kavazis

School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA

Corresponding authors Andreas N. Kavazis: School of Kinesiology, Director, Muscle Biohemistry Laboratory, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.  Email: [email protected]

Michael D. Roberts: School of Kinesiology, Director, Molecular and Applied Sciences Laboratory, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.  Email: [email protected]

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First published: 20 July 2023
Citations: 3

Handling Editors: Michael Hogan & Bruno Grassi

The peer review history is available in the Supporting Information section of this article (https://doi.org/10.1113/JP284822#support-information-section).

This article was first published as a preprint. Mesquita PHC, Godwin JS, Ruple BA, Sexton CL, McIntosh MC, Mueller BJ, Osburn SC, Brooks Mobley C, Libardi CA, Young KC, Bruce Gladden L, Roberts MD, Kavazis AN. 2023. Resistance training diminishes mitochondrial adaptations to subsequent endurance training. bioRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.04.06.535919

Abstract

We investigated the effects of performing a period of resistance training (RT) on the performance and molecular adaptations to a subsequent period of endurance training (ET). Twenty-five young adults were divided into an RT+ET group (n = 13), which underwent 7 weeks of RT followed by 7 weeks of ET, and an ET-only group (n = 12), which performed 7 weeks of ET. Body composition, endurance performance and muscle biopsies were collected before RT (T1, baseline for RT+ET), before ET (T2, after RT for RT+ET and baseline for ET) and after ET (T3). Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine fibre cross-sectional area (fCSA), myonuclear content, myonuclear domain size, satellite cell number and mitochondrial content. Western blots were used to quantify markers of mitochondrial remodelling. Citrate synthase activity and markers of ribosome content were also investigated. RT improved body composition and strength, increased vastus lateralis thickness, mixed and type II fCSA, myonuclear number, markers of ribosome content, and satellite cell content (P < 0.050). In response to ET, both groups similarly decreased body fat percentage (P < 0.0001) and improved endurance performance (e.g. V ̇ O 2 max ${\dot V_{{{\mathrm{O}}_2}\max }}$ , and speed at which the onset of blood lactate accumulation occurred, P < 0.0001). Levels of mitochondrial complexes I–IV in the ET-only group increased 32–66%, while those in the RT+ET group increased 1–11% (time, P < 0.050). Additionally, mixed fibre relative mitochondrial content increased 15% in the ET-only group but decreased 13% in the RT+ET group (interaction, P = 0.043). In conclusion, RT performed prior to ET had no additional benefits to ET adaptations. Moreover, prior RT seemed to impair mitochondrial adaptations to ET.

Key points

  • Resistance training is largely underappreciated as a method to improve endurance performance, despite reports showing it may improve mitochondrial function.
  • Although several concurrent training studies are available, in this study we investigated the effects of performing a period of resistance training on the performance and molecular adaptations to subsequent endurance training.
  • Prior resistance training did not improve endurance performance and impaired most mitochondrial adaptations to subsequent endurance training, but this effect may have been a result of detraining from resistance training.

Data availability statement

Several raw data files can be obtained upon reasonable request by emailing the latter co-corresponding/senior author ([email protected]).

Competing interests

None.

Author contributions

P.H.C.M. primarily drafted the manuscript and constructed figures. All co-authors were involved in critical aspects of the study regarding data collection and analyses. M.D.R. and A.N.K. provided critical assistance in manuscript preparation. All co-authors edited the manuscript, and all authors approved the final submitted version.

Funding

National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA): Paulo H.C. Mesquita, N/A; HHS | National Institutes of Health (NIH): Mason C. McIntosh, T32GM141739; Sao Paulo Research Foundation: Cleiton Augusto Libardi, 2020/13613-4; Sao Paulo Technological Development: Cleiton Augusto Libardi, 302801/2018-9.

Acknowledgements

Participant compensation costs and most reagent costs were funded by a grant provided by the National Strength and Conditioning Association Foundation to P.H.C.M. M.C.M. was fully supported through a T32 NIH grant (T32GM141739). C.A.L. was supported by The São Paulo Research Foundation 393 (no. 2020/13613-4) and National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (no. 311387/2021-7). Assay costs not covered by the National Strength and Conditioning Foundation were provided through discretionary laboratory funds from M.D.R and A.N.K., and the Auburn School of Kinesiology paid for publishing fees. None of the authors have financial or other conflicts of interest to report regarding these data.