Student: Anna Parr, Undergraduate Student in Health Science and Kinesiology, Biology minor, Drake University
Research Mentor: Dr. Kim Huey
Effects of High Intensity Interval Training on Muscle Function and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Young and Older Mice
To better understand the impacts of HIIT on muscle function and fitness during aging, young and older C57 mice will remain sedentary or complete 10-minute uphill treadmill HIIT sessions three times per week over 8 weeks. Changes in cardiorespiratory endurance will be determined by maximal treadmill tests and muscle strength and endurance. This protocol will allow our lab to investigate the impact HIIT has on muscle strength and endurance and cardiorespiratory endurance in both male and female mice. Our overall hypothesis is that HIIT will positively impact the ability of skeletal muscle to increase strength and endurance and the cardiorespiratory system to increase endurance capacity independent of age and sex. We also hypothesize that cellular mechanisms contributing to HIIT-associated improvements in muscle strength and cardiorespiratory endurance include increases in growth factor and myokine expression in the exercising muscles and heart. Following the experimental period, mice will undergo muscle testing after which muscle tissue will be isolated for cellular assays. Muscle contractile function will be assessed in vivo by measuring strength and fatigability with a dual mode footplate system. These organ level physiological measures will be coupled with cellular assays to test potential mechanisms for the observed functional results. Muscle levels of critical growth hormones, insulin like growth hormone, IL-6, and vascular endothelial growth factor will be measured with ELISA assays.