Effects of endurance resistance exercise on knee joint cartilages in young male rats – a randomized controlled trial

To study the effects of endurance resistance exercise on the cellularity of knee joint hyaline cartilages and fibrocartilage in young male rats, twelve healthy young male Sprague Dawley rats were equally divided into Endurance resistance training (ERT) and Sedentary or Control (C). ERT group climbed a ladder carrying 5% of body weight with 3 sets for adaptation. From week 2, 10% and 3 sets then progressed to 20% and 4 sets, 30% and 5 sets, and 40% of the body weight and 6 sets every week till week 5 with 12-15 repetitions per set and 2-minute intervals and 5 days per week. Each training session’s duration was 30 minutes. The effects on the number of chondrocytes per lacuna of fibrocartilage and tibial hyaline cartilage were found to be significantly better in ERT group. For the number of chondrocytes per lacuna of femoral hyaline cartilage, no significant difference was observed between the group analyses. These results collectively imply that endurance resistance training has potential for enhancing cartilage integrity and general health, specifically the fibrocartilage and tibial hyaline cartilage.