Versatility of Protocols for Resistance Training and Assessment Using Static and Dynamic Ladders in Animal Models

Summary

The present protocol describes resistance training and testing using static and dynamic ladders in animal models.

Abstract

Resistance training is a physical exercise model with profound benefits for health throughout life. The use of resistance exercise animal models is a way to gain insight into the underlying molecular mechanisms that orchestrate these adaptations. The aim of this article is to describe exercise models and training protocols designed for strength training and evaluation of resistance in animal models and provide examples. In this article, strength training and resistance evaluation are based on ladder climbing activity, using static and dynamic ladders. These devices allow a variety of training models as well as provide precise control of the main variables which determine resistance exercise: volume, load, velocity, and frequency. Furthermore, unlike resistance exercise in humans, this is a forced exercise. Thus, aversive stimuli must be avoided in this intervention to preserve animal welfare. Prior to implementation, a detailed design is necessary, along with an acclimatization and learning period. Acclimatization to training devices, such as ladders, weights, and clinical tape, as well as to the manipulations required, is necessary to avoid exercise rejection and to minimize stress. At the same time, the animals are taught to climb up the ladder, not down, to the resting area on the top of the ladder. Resistance evaluation can characterize physical strength and permit adjusting and quantifying the training load and the response to training. Furthermore, different types of strength can be evaluated. Regarding training programs, with appropriate design and device use, they can be sufficiently versatile to modulate different types of strength. Furthermore, they should be flexible enough to be modified depending on the adaptive and behavioral response of the animals or the presence of injuries. In conclusion, resistance training and assessment using ladders and weights are versatile methods in animal research.

Introduction

Physical exercise is a determinant lifestyle factor for promoting health and decreasing the incidence of the most prevalent chronic diseases as well as some types of cancer in humans¹.

Resistance exercise has raised interest because of its overwhelming relevance for health throughout life², especially due to its benefits in counteracting age-related diseases that affect the locomotor system, such as sarcopenia, osteoporosis, etc³. Moreover, resistance exercise also affects tissues and organs not directly involved in the execution of movement, such as the brain

Protocol

The methods presented in this protocol have been evaluated and approved by the animal research technical committee (reference PROAE 04/2018, Principado de Asturias, Spain).

1. Planning

1. Carefully select animals for the study based on the characteristics of interest (genetically modified, pathology models, age, etc.) and apply specific adaptations to the protocol (climbing without weights, reducing the number of rungs to climb, and inclination).
2. Identify th.......

Discussion

Training is an intervention with multiple applications in research, apart from the study of exercise itself. Thus, the analysis of its effect on ageing²⁰ or certain pathological conditions and physical therapy²¹ has received much attention in recent years. In addition, numerous authors have analyzed the effect of pharmacological²² or dietary²¹ interventions on physical fitness. In this context, interest has.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Dynamic ladder	in-house production
Elastic adhesive bandage 6 cm x 2.5 m	BSN medical	4005556
Gator Clip Steel NON-INSUL 10A	Digikey electronics	BC60ANP
Static ladder	in-house production
Weights	in-house production
Wire for holding weigths	in-house production