System for exercise analysis

A system and procedure for the analysis of the effects of a heavy exercise training program are presented. Specifically, the components, protocol, and primary physiological results are discussed and analyzed for four groups: exercise and non-exercise of control and diabetic rats. Changes in heart electrophysiology (electrocardiogram) were recorded with biotelemetry transmitters. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) injection. One week after STZ treatment, rats began a heavy exercise training program (18m/min at 20^o treadmill incline for 60 min/day) which continued 5 days per week for 8 weeks. The heart rate (HR) in diabetic rats was significantly lower (82%) than in controls after 1 week of training. After 4 weeks of exercise, HR was further significantly reduced in both groups. There were no additional effects on HR after 8 weeks. In conclusion, a heavy exercise training program begun at the onset of STZ-induced diabetes has limited effects on cardiovascular adaptation to diabetes.