Skeletal Muscle Protein Metabolism During Exercise

Skeletal muscle is essential in locomotion and plays a role in whole-body metabolism, particularly during exercise. Skeletal muscle is the largest ‘reservoir’ of amino acids, which can be released for fuel and as a precursor for gluconeogenesis. During exercise, whole-body, and more specifically skeletal muscle, protein catabolism is increased, but protein synthesis is suppressed. Metabolism of skeletal muscle proteins can support energy demands during exercise, and persistent exercise (i.e. training) results in skeletal muscle protein remodelling. Exercise is generally classified as being either ‘strength’ or ‘aerobic/endurance’ in nature, and the type of exercise will reflect the phenotypic and metabolic adaptations of the muscle. In this chapter, we describe the impact of various exercise modes on protein metabolism during and following exercise.