Distinct Skeletal Muscle Gene Regulation from Active Contraction, Passive Vibration, and Whole Body Heat Stress in Humans

The study investigated the distinct effects of active muscle contraction, passive vibration, and whole-body heat stress on skeletal muscle gene regulation in humans. The purpose was to examine whether these stressors modulate key genetic signatures associated with muscle metabolism, oxidative pathways, mitochondrial biogenesis, and hypertrophy. The findings revealed that each stressor induced a unique gene expression signature in skeletal muscle. Muscle contractions increased genes associated with oxidative metabolism, mitochondrial function, and muscle hypertrophy, while vibration regulated a load-sensing pathway and a muscle hypertrophy pathway. Heat stress regulated a major muscle remodeling transcription factor. The study suggests that combining different stressors may be a novel strategy to optimize skeletal muscle tissue health, particularly in individuals with disabilities who cannot voluntarily drive their own skeletal muscle.