OBJECTIVETo observe effects of acupuncture and electroacupuncture on antioxidant enzyme and Ca2+(-) ATPase activities and Ca2+ content in mitochondria of skeletal muscle cells in rats of acute swimming exercise and explore the mechanism of acupuncture in increasing sport ability.

METHODSForty male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. The rats in the acupuncture group and the electroacupuncture group were treated respectively with acupuncture and electroacupuncture before acute swimming exercise. After the swimming exercise, the rats were killed and the skeletal muscle was taken, and then the indexes were determined.

RESULTSAfter acute swimming exercise, the GSH-Px and Ca(2+)-ATPase activities in the mitochondria of the skeletal muscle decreased significantly (P < 0.05) and Ca2+ content increased (P < 0.01) in the swimming group as compared with the control group; in the acupuncture group, SOD activity increased significantly (P < 0.05), GSH-Px and Ca(2+)-ATPase activities increased as compared with the swimming group (P < 0.05); Ca2+ contents in the swimming group and the electroacupuncture group significantly increased as compared with the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture can protect cells from injury of acute sports and maintain the functions of mitochondria so as to delay fatigue, prolong working time of muscles and prevent muscles from damage.