Dissociation of training effects on skeletal muscle mitochondrial enzymes and myoglobin in man

Abstract

The effect of endurance training on skeletal muscle myoglobin concentration in man was investigated. 8 healthy sedentary males (20–31 yrs) trained on cycle ergometers 40 min/day, 4 days a week for 8 weeks. The work consisted of continuous exercise at a work load that during the last 5 weeks corresponded to 75% of the pretraining maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ max). The training program resulted in a 7% increase in VO₂ max (ppp<0.05). There was, however, no change in the myoglobin concentration of the thigh muscle with training (‐1%, NS). It is suggested that endurance exercise in man at 75% of the maximal oxygen uptake does not severely tax the functions of myoglobin in skeletal muscle.