The Na⁺/K⁺-Pump Protects Muscle Excitability and Contractility during Exercise

Abstract

 

NIELSEN, O.B., and T. CLAUSEN. The Na⁺/K⁺-pump protects muscle excitability and contractility during exercise. Exerc. Sport. Sci. Rev., Vol. 28, No. 4, pp 159-164, 2000. In skeletal muscle, the concentration of Na⁺/K⁺-pumps is high and increases through training. In isolated muscles, contractile endurance depends in part on Na⁺/K⁺-pump concentration. Exercise leads to rundown of Na⁺/K⁺-gradients, compound action potentials, and force. Early and efficient activation of the Na⁺/K⁺-pump, however, protects excitability and contractility.