Search

Exercise‐induced microRNA (miRNA) and HIPPO pathways participate in the regulation of skeletal muscle plasticity but their underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the effect of high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) on miRNA expression and the HIPPO pathway in the skeletal muscle of aging rats to determine its role in the amelioration of muscle aging. Thirty‐six 18‐month‐old female rats were randomly divided into sedentary control (SED, n = 12), moderate‐intensity continuous training (MICT, n = 12), and HIIT (n = 12) groups, with continuous exercise for 8 months. Quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting, KEGG enrichment, and dual‐luciferase assays were performed on the target skeletal muscle. Compared with the SED group, the MICT and HIIT groups showed a significant trend of improvement in Lee's index and grip strength and a marked increase in skeletal muscle mitochondrial function, apoptosis, antioxidant, and lipolysis‐related protein expression. They also exhibited PI3K/AKT pathway activation and a decrease in expression of HIPPO pathway‐related proteins; 20 miRNAs were differentially expressed and enriched in the exercise group compared with the SED group, including the HIPPO pathway and metabolic pathways. Further analysis of L6 cells confirmed that miR‐182 may target PTEN, which indirectly regulates HIPPO signaling, but not Mob1. the combined application of HIIT and MICT increased the antioxidant and lipolytic capacities of skeletal muscle and improved atrophy of aging skeletal muscle; HIIT was more effective than MICT. This may be related to HIIT‐mediated AKT pathway activation and HIPPO pathway inhibition by miRNAs (miR‐486 and miR‐182). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Tai Chi (TC) is known to enhance balance control and walking function in stroke survivors. However, motor disorders in stroke patients may limit the implementation of TC exercise and increase the risk of falling. The body weight support (BWS) device can provide protection during the early rehabilitation of stroke survivors using an overhead suspension system. Theoretically, combining TC with BWS may be an effective intervention for stroke survivors. This study aimed to examine the effects of body weight support-Tai Chi training on balance control and walking function in stroke survivors with hemiplegia. Methods. Seventy-one stroke survivors with hemiplegia aged 30–75 years were randomly allocated to the control group (N = 35) or the BWS-TC group (N = 36). During BWS-TC training, the subjects performed 7 Tai Chi footwork forms, and gradual easy-to-difficult progression (from 40% to 0% body weight) was followed. The subjects participated in 40 min rehabilitation sessions three times per week for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was dynamic balance in the limits-of-stability test. The secondary outcomes, which reflect improvements walking function, included spatiotemporal parameters, the joint range of motion in the affected limb during the swing phase, the Berg Balance Scale score, and the Fugl-Meyer Assessment score. Evaluations were performed at baseline and 12 weeks and compared between groups. Results. After training, significant between-group differences were observed in the scores for overall, forward, left, right, forward-left, and forward-right directional control in the limits-of-stability test (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the scores for gait cycle time, step length, step velocity, and range of motion of the joints were better in the BWS-TC group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusions. The 12-week BWS-TC training may enhance dynamic balance and walking function in stroke survivors with hemiplegia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]