Treadmill Running Model for Rodents as a Translational Approach Based on Human Physiological Responses.

Abstract

The concept of "Exercise is Medicine" highlights the preventive effects of physical activity on lifestyle-related diseases, dementia, and mental disorders. However, human studies face limitations in isolating exercise-specific effects due to uncontrolled variables such as diet and living conditions, as well as the constraint of non-invasive methodologies. Animal models offer a valuable alternative, allowing for strict control of experimental conditions and detailed assessment of physiological and neural responses to exercise. While voluntary wheel running has been commonly used, it lacks standardization in exercise intensity and type. To bridge this gap, we developed a treadmill-based rodent exercise model that enables precise control over exercise parameters, including intensity, duration, and distance. By incorporating physiological markers-such as blood lactate and oxygen consumption-commonly used in humans, we succeeded in evaluating rodent fitness and establishing exercise paradigms analogous to those used in human studies. Our findings demonstrate that even light-intensity exercise can significantly enhance brain activation and memory, which may be particularly relevant for aging or low-fitness populations. This approach enables the exploration of shared neurobiological mechanisms and supports the advancement of translational research, facilitating the development of tailored exercise interventions aimed at promoting cognitive health.