Easily performed interval exercise induces to increase in skeletal muscle PGC-1α gene expression

Introduction: Understanding the relationship between PGC-1α expression and exercise is important for developing therapeutic exercise programs focusing on the prevention of lifestyle diseases. The current study examined whether easily performed modearte intensity interval exercise can induce PGC-1α gene expression. Methods: Nine subjects performed cycling in one of three protocols: maximal intensity [MIE: 20 ×1 min with 4 min recovery], high intensity [HIE] and a moderate intensity at anaerobic threshold interval exercise [AIE]. Both HIE and AIE were adjusted to obtain the same exercise volume as MIT performed for 5min including recovery time and repeated 20 times. Results: Increase in PGC-1α mRNA expression was observed in all conditions. with a significant increase in plasma epinephrine. ACC phosphorylation also increased in all condition. Conclusion: These findings suggest that easily performed interval exercise at anaerobic threshold induces PGC1α expression which induce aerobic training adaptation.