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. 2022 Feb 15;66(1):3356.
doi: 10.4081/ejh.2022.3356.

Stretching prior to resistance training promotes adaptations on the postsynaptic region in different myofiber types

Carolina Dos Santos Jacob  1 , Gabriela Klein Barbosa  2 , Mariana Pasquini Rodrigues  3 , Jurandyr Pimentel Neto  4 , Lara Caetano Rocha  5 , Adriano Polican Ciena  6
Affiliations

Stretching prior to resistance training promotes adaptations on the postsynaptic region in different myofiber types

Carolina Dos Santos Jacob et al. Eur J Histochem. .

Abstract

The morphology of the neuromuscular junction adapts according to changes in its pattern of use, especially at the postsynaptic region according to the myofibrillar type and physical exercise. This investigation revealed the morphological adaptations of the postsynaptic region after static stretching, resistance training, and their association in adult male Wistar rats. We processed the soleus and plantaris muscles for histochemical (muscle fibers) and postsynaptic region imaging techniques. We observed muscle hypertrophy in both groups submitted to resistance training, even though the cross-section area is larger when there is no previous static stretching. The soleus postsynaptic region revealed higher compactness and fragmentation index in the combined exercise. The resistance training promoted higher adaptations in the postsynaptic area of plantaris; moreover, the previous static stretching decreased this area. In conclusion, the neuromuscular system's components responded according to the myofiber type even though it is the same physical exercise. Besides, static stretching (isolated or combined) plays a crucial role in neuromuscular adaptations.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Postsynaptic region morphometry. (A) Original image of the postsynaptic region; scale bars: 10 μm. B) The example of AChR clusters measured. C) Binary image and the endplate perimeter and area measured. D) Binary image and the AChR perimeter and area measured. E) Binary image and the endplate diameter measured.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Postsynaptic AChR region of the soleus muscle of No-Training (NT), Stretching Training (ST), Resistance Training (RT), and Stretching-Resistance Training (SRT) groups; scale bars: 10 μm. I) Mean ± standard deviation values of the endplate and AChR areas (μm²). II) Mean ± standard deviation values of the endplate and AChR perimeters (μm). III) Mean ± standard deviation values of endplate diameter (μm). IV) Mean ± standard deviation values of endplate compactness (%). V) Mean ± standard deviation values of the number of AChR clusters (un). VI) Mean ± standard deviation values of the fragmentation index.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Postsynaptic AChR region of the plantaris muscle of No-Training (NT), Stretching Training (ST), Resistance Training (RT), and Stretching-Resistance Training (SRT) groups; scale bars: 10 μm. I) Mean ± standard deviation values of the endplate and AChR areas (μm²); *ST ≠ SRT (p<0.05); ****RT ≠ SRT (p<0.0001); **NT ≠ ST (p<0.01); *ST ≠ SRT (p<0.05). II) Mean ± standard deviation values of the endplate and AChR perimeters (μm); *NT ≠ ST (p<0.05); **ST ≠ SRT (p<0.01); *ST ≠S RT (p<0.05); *RT ≠ SRT (p<0.05). III) Mean ± standard deviation values of endplate diameter (μm); **RT ≠ SRT (p<0.01). IV) Mean ± standard deviation values of endplate compactness (%); *NT ≠ SRT (p<0.05); *ST ≠S RT (p<0.05). V) Mean ± standard deviation values of the number of AChR clusters (un); *NT ≠ ST (p<0.05); *ST ≠ SRT (p<0.05). VI) Mean ± standard deviation values of the fragmentation index; **NT ≠ ST (p<0.01); **ST ≠ SRT (p<0.01).
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