Sprint interval exercise disrupts mitochondrial ultrastructure driving a unique mitochondrial stress response and remodelling in men
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial
Abstract: Exercise is a key lifestyle intervention for mitochondrial health, yet the molecular mechanisms by which different exercise prescriptions regulate mitochondrial remodeling remain unclear. We conducted an open-label counterbalanced randomized controlled trial (ACTRN12617001105336) and observed that sprint-interval exercise (SIE; n = 14), compared to moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE; n = 14), induces a mitochondrial stress signature and unfolded protein response (UPRmt). SIE triggers morphological and structural mitochondrial alterations along with activation of the integrated stress response (ISR) and mitochondrial quality control (MQC) pathways. Following eight weeks of training, moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) increases mitochondrial content, complex I activity, and displays an enrichment of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) proteins, while sprint-interval training (SIT) improves respiratory function and upregulates pathways involved in 1-carbon metabolism and protein quality control. We identify COX7A2L accumulating in III2 + IV1 supercomplexes only after SIT. These findings elucidate how exercise intensity shapes mitochondrial remodeling, informing tailored exercise prescriptions. Here the authors report a that sprint interval exercise triggers mitochondrial stress and quality control in skeletal muscle in young healthy men, promoting enhanced mitochondrial function and a remodelling after 8 weeks of training.
Source: Nature Communications
Institutions: Deakin University, Victoria University, University of Milan, The University of Melbourne, Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre, University of Padua, University of Miami, Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Monash University, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Universidad de Zaragoza, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Royal Children's Hospital, Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,990
OpenAlex ID: W4416869624