Increased mitochondrial surface area and cristae density in the skeletal muscle of strength athletes

Abstract

support-information-section).

Exploring mitochondrial morphology in skeletal muscle: implications for highly trained individuals

“…Recently, Botella et al (2023) conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate mitochondrial morphology and density in the skeletal muscle of strength athletes. The study enrolled 10 male strength athletes and 12 untrained control subjects.…”

“…By creating future studies that build upon the complex interplay between endurance training and strength training, the stage could be set for new protocols that optimize metabolic health during performance at the highest level. As such, Botella et al (2023) should be commended for their valuable introduction into what might become the next clinically relevant field in both metabolism and exercise physiology.…”

Skeletal muscle mitochondria in strength athletes: meeting energy needs with mitochondrial morphological changes

“…In a recent publication from The Journal of Physiology, Botella et al (2023) tested the hypothesis that chronic resistance training (i.e. training over a prolonged period with regular frequency) in strength-based athletes causes mitochondrial morphological changes.…”

“…Additionally, the strength-trained group completed a rigorous exercise routine and had a post-training biopsy taken to investigate the acute effects of strength training on the mitochondrial state. To test their hypothesis, Botella et al (2023) used transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to classify the muscle fibre types utilizing mitochondrial volume estimation. Between both groups, 31,454 individual mitochondria were traced.…”

Strength athletes and mitochondria: it's about ‘time’

“…The topic is interesting given the relatively short period of muscle contractions during a single strength/resistance exercise session compared to more sustained endurance exercise sessions raises questions regarding the amount of cellular stress required to stimulate mitochondrial adaptations. The recent report in The Journal of Physiology (Botella et al., 2023) addresses this gap in knowledge by performing extensive high‐resolution imaging with electron microscopy that identified diverse ultrastructural reorganizations within skeletal muscle mitochondria in strength trained individuals and in response to acute resistance exercise.…”