Physical Activity Engagement Worsens Health Outcomes and Limits Exercise Capacity in Growth-restricted Mice

Introduction A total of 161 million children a year are growth restricted, leading to a 47% increased risk of chronic disease in adulthood. Physical activity (PA) reduces the risk of mortality from chronic disease. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the effect of a PA intervention (wheel running) on cardiac and skeletal muscle capacities in gestational (GUN) and postnatal (PUN) growth-restricted mice as compared with nonrestricted controls (CON). Methods A low-protein cross-fostering FVB mouse model was used to induce growth restriction during gestation and the first 21 d of postnatal life. Mouse pups were recovered on a healthy diet until mature and provided wheel access for 3 wk. At completion of the PA intervention, mice underwent maximal exercise testing on a treadmill, echocardiography, and skeletal muscle histology. Results After the PA intervention, CON mice had a 45% improvement in maximal exercise capacity (P = 0.0390) because of cardiac and skeletal muscle adaptations, but GUN and PUN mice did not. Alarmingly, PUN female mice exposed to wheels had 11.45% lower left ventricular volume (P = 0.0540) and 18% lower left ventricle area (P = 0.0585), with blood flow velocities indicative of cardiac fibrosis (GUN had elevated isovolumetric contraction time P = 0.0374; GUN females and PUN males had longer isovolumetric relaxation time P = 0.0703). PUN male mice had mixed skeletal muscle responses with an oxidative shift in the diaphragm (P = 0.0162) but a glycolytic shift in the extensor digitorum longus (P = 0.0647). PUN female mice had a glycolytic shift in the soleus after wheel running. Conclusions Unexpectedly, growth-restricted mice were nonresponders to a PA intervention and displayed negative cardiac outcomes.