RESEARCH GROUP
Human Performance and Ergogenic Aids
In addition, we work closely with anti-doping laboratories and regulatory bodies to scientifically validate, support, and enhance current anti-doping practices.
- Substances that regulate muscle growth (Beta2-agonists and anabolic steroids)
- Limits to human performance and fatigue mechanisms
- Training strategies to optimize performance and health (e.g., interval training and blood flow restriction)
- Mechanisms driving training adaptations
- Anti-doping regulations and practices
- University of Tasmania, Australia (Prof. Glenn Jacobsen, University of Tasmania)
- Norwegian Doping Control Laboratory
- Team Danmark
- Atul Deshmukh (Assoc. Prof., Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen)
- Vibeke Backer (Clin. Assoc. Prof., University of Copenhagen)
Research Projects
Clenbuterol muscle memory
The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of clenbuterol and resistance training on muscle hypertrophy, subsequent muscle memory (i.e. greater hypertrophy during retraining compared to initial training) and underlying mechanisms.
Background
The phenomenon of muscle memory is widely accepted. This suggests a benefit of resistance training earlier in life to combat age-related sarcopenia. Likewise, it has been suggested that this gives doping offenders in sports an unfair competitive advantage even after discontinuation of anabolic substances. Despite this, underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
Thus, Elucidating the effect of resistance training and clenbuterol on muscle memory and underlying mechanisms will provide a rational for combating age-related sarcopenia, as well as a provide insights into the use of an anabolic substance on muscle memory. The latter will be of use in the development of future regulations in anti-doping.
About the Study
The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of clenbuterol and resistance training on muscle hypertrophy, subsequent muscle memory and underlying mechanisms.
Participants will be randomized to daily ingestion of clenbuterol or placebo during an 8-week intervention, consisting of either resistance training 3 times a week or a control condition. Thereafter participants will undergo 16 weeks without resistance training and ingestion of clenbuterol/placebo, followed by another 8-week period with resistance training.
Before the intervention and after each period, participants will attend experimental trials, where body composition is assessed by DXA and muscle biopsies are sampled from m. vastus lateralis. The muscle biopsies will be analyzed for fiber type, size and myonuclei by immunohistochemistry.
Mass spectrometry-based proteomics will be used to identify persisting proteome changes. We expect that if myonuclei or certain proteins involved in muscle hypertrophy persist during atrophy, these may explain the phenomenon of muscle memory.
Status
All participants have been recruited and the human randomized controlled trial will finish in march 2025.
Funding
WADA
Project period: 2023 -
Contact
PhD fellow Lukas Moesgaard
Sex- and fiber type specific adaptations to resistance training
The aim of the study is to investigate differences between sexes in resistance training-induced muscle hypertrophy and underlying mechanisms.
Background
It is well known that physiological differences exist between sexes. Despite this, little is known about differences between sexes in the underlying mechanisms of resistance training-induced muscle hypertrophy.
Thus, elucidating this would further our understanding of differences in male and female muscle physiology, and how this impacts adaptations to exercise.
About the Study
The aim of the study is to investigate differences between sexes in resistance training-induced muscle hypertrophy and underlying mechanisms. Twelve males and 12 females completed 8 weeks of resistance training 3 times a week.
Before and after the intervention participants attended experimental days, including sampling of blood and muscle biopsies, as well as measures of strength and body composition assessment via DXA. So far, results of the study have indicated greater hypertrophy of type I, but not type II, fibers in males than females.
It is expected that future analysis of the muscle biopsies will elucidate the underlying mechanisms of this observation.
Status
The intervention is completed, and samples are currently being analyzed. It is expected that this will be finished by the end of 2023.
Publications
Muscle fiber proteomics reveals sex- and fiber type-specific adaptations to resistance training. Lukas Moesgaard, Roger Moreno-Justicia, Johann Schmalbruch, Søren Jessen, Ben Stocks, Jens Bangsbo, Atul S. Deshmukh, Morten Hostrup.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.09.16.612737
Moesgaard, L., Jessen, S., Mackey, A. L., & Hostrup, M. (2022). Myonuclear addition is associated with sex-specific fiber hypertrophy and occurs in relation to fiber perimeter not cross-sectional area. Journal of Applied Physiology, 133(3), 732-741.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00235.2022
Funding
Team Danmark
Project period: 2020 -
Contact
PhD fellow Lukas Moesgaard
The effects of Blood-Flow Restriction Training (BFRT) on muscle function and muscular adaptations in trained individuals and in patients with COPD.
We investigate how the leg muscles adapt to 6 weeks of blood-flow restriction strength and sprint interval training. We run two studies, one including healthy trained individuals and one including individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Background
COPD is not only affecting the lungs, it also induces loss of skeletal muscle function and mass. Specifically, the progressive decrease in muscle function characterizing COPD seems to be determined by muscle atrophy (increased protein-breakdown signalling), a shift in muscle fibre type (higher number of glycolytic type IIx fibres) and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Exercise training may counteract these issues. However, high training loads are required, making the training uncomfortable when pulmonary impairment is present.
BFRT can be conducted using only a fraction of the training load, thereby inducing similar muscle function and mass gains. A first study on BFRT in COPD suggests that less dyspnoea is present during the exercise training when compared to traditional training.
We will be able to compare our findings in people with COPD to the findings in healthy individuals and therefore gain insight into the mechanisms underlying BFRT.
About the Study
This is a randomized controlled study with assessor blinding.
All participants will undergo 6 weeks of combined BFRT (leg strength training and sprint interval training on a bike ergometer).
We look at various tests, covering muscle function, muscle mass, muscle adaptations, and performance.
Status
We are recruiting. Contact us if you are interested in participating.
Funding
Danish Ministry of Culture
Project period: 2023 -
Contact
PhD fellow Lukas Moesgaard
Members of research group
| Name | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johan Dejgaard Onslev | Postdoc | ||
| Julie Kissow Kristensen | Research Assistant | ||
| Lukas Moesgaard | PhD Fellow | ||
| Morten Hostrup | Associate Professor - Promotion Programme | +4535321595 | |
| Søren Kaare Jessen | Guest Researcher | +4535326685 |
