Exercise Training, Immobilisation and Castration Effects on Skeletal Muscle Na+,K+-ATPase

The Na+,K+-ATPase (NKA) is a key protein involved in the maintenance of skeletal muscle excitability during contractions, and comprises two subunits (α and β), each of which are expressed as multiple isoforms in skeletal muscle (α1 - α3 and β1 - β3). Therefore any modulation of NKA content or of individual NKA isoforms has the potential to affect muscle function. This thesis comprises four studies that investigated the effects of conditions intended to induce downregulation or upregulation of the NKA in skeletal muscle, utilising hindlimb immobilisation, testosterone suppression and increased physical activity through various training regimes. A theme of the thesis was specific effects of changes in physical activity and on muscle NKA