Effects of Exercise Training Intensity and Duration on Skeletal Muscle Capillarization in Healthy Subjects: A Meta-analysis

This study aimed to investigate the effect of intensity and duration of continuous and interval exercise training on capillarization in skeletal muscle of healthy adults. Methods PubMed and Web of Science were searched from inception to June 2021. Eligibility criteria for studies were endurance exercise training>2 wk in healthy adults, and the capillary to fiber ratio (C:F) and/or capillary density (CD) reported. Meta-analyses were performed, and subsequent subgroup analyses were conducted by the characteristics of participants and training scheme. Results Fifty-seven trials from 38 studies were included (10%/90%, athletic/sedentary). C:F was measured in 391 subjects from 47 trials, whereas CD was measured in 428 subjects from 50 trials. Exercise training increased C:F (mean difference, 0.33 (95% confidence interval, 0.30–0.37)) with low heterogeneity (I2 = 45.08%) and CD (mean difference, 49.8 (36.9–62.6) capillaries per millimeter squared) with moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 68.82%). Compared with low-intensity training (
Source: Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise - Category: Sports Medicine Tags: APPLIED SCIENCES Source Type: research