Human skeletal muscle possesses both reversible proteomic signatures and a retained proteomic memory after repeated resistance training
Authors: Hulmi Juha J. , Halonen Eeli J. , Sharples Adam P. , O’Connell Thomas M. , Kuikka Lauri , Lappi Veli-Matti , Salokas Kari , Keskitalo Salla , Varjosalo Markku , Ahtiainen Juha P. 
Published: November 2024

Investigating repeated resistance training separated by a training break enables exploration of the potential for a proteomic memory of resistance training (RT)-induced skeletal muscle growth. Our aim was to examine skeletal muscle proteome response to 10-week RT (RT1) followed by 10-week training cessation (i.e. detraining, DT), and finally, 10-week retraining (RT2). Thirty healthy, untrained participants conducted either periodic RT (RT1-DT-RT2, n=17) or a 10-week no-training control period (n=13) followed by 20 weeks of RT (n=11). RT included twice-weekly supervised whole-body RT sessions, and resting vastus lateralis biopsies were obtained every ten weeks for proteomics analysis using high-end DIA-PASEF’s mass spectrometry. The first RT period altered 150 proteins (93% increased) involved in e.g. energy metabolism and protein processing compared with minor changes during the no-training control period. The proteome adaptations were similar after the second RT compared to baseline demonstrating reproducibility in proteome adaptations to RT. Many of the proteins induced by RT1 were reversed towards baseline after detraining and increased again after retraining. These reversible proteins were especially involved in aerobic energy metabolism. Interestingly, several proteins increased after RT1 remain elevated after detraining, including carbonyl reductase 1 (CBR1) and proteins involved in muscle contraction, cytoskeleton and calcium-binding. Amongst the latter, calcium-activated protease calpain-2 (CAPN2) has been recently identified as an epigenetic muscle memory gene. We show that resistance training evokes retained protein levels even after 2.5 months of no training. This is the first study to demonstrate a potential proteomic memory of resistance training-induced muscle growth in human skeletal muscle.

Key points

Repeated resistance training in humans separated by a training break (i.e. detraining) enables the identification of temporal protein signatures over the training, detraining, and retraining periods as well as studying reproducibility of protein changes to resistance training.

Muscle proteome adaptations were similar after a second period of resistance training when compared to baseline, demonstrating reproducibility in proteome adaptations to earlier resistance training.

Many of the proteins induced by resistance training were reversed towards baseline after detraining and increased again after retraining. These reversible proteins were especially involved in aerobic energy metabolism.

Several proteins increased after resistance training remain elevated after detraining, including carbonyl reductase 1 (CBR1) and calcium-binding proteins such as calpain-2 (CAPN2), a recently identified epigenetic muscle memory gene.

Human skeletal muscle experiences retained protein changes following resistance training persisting over two months demonstrating a potential proteomic memory of resistance training-induced muscle growth.

Abstract Figure

Human skeletal muscle proteome response was investigated after 10-week resistance training (RT1) followed by 10-week training cessation (i.e. detraining, DT), and finally, 10-week retraining (RT2). Many of the proteins were reversed towards baseline after DT and increased again after RT2. These reversible proteins were especially involved in aerobic energy metabolism. However, several RT-induced proteins remain elevated after DT, including carbonyl reductase 1 (CBR1) and many proteins involved in muscle contraction or cytoskeleton and calcium-binding. Amongst the latter, calcium-activated protease calpain-2 (CAPN2) is a recently identified epigenetic muscle memory gene. This study shows that resistance training evokes retained protein levels even after 2.5 months of no training and demonstrates a potential proteomic memory of RT-induced muscle growth in human skeletal muscle. Created in BioRender.com.