MicroRNA responses to acute resistance exercise protocols: a pilot study

INTRODUCTION: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that have an important role in regulating gene expression. Although circulating miRNAs are considered good markers of response to acute resistance training (RT) (1), change in expression according to the applied stimulus (e.g. high-intensity low-volume vs. low-intensity high-volume) has yet to be investigated. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the impact of RT protocols on circulating miRNA levels. We selected miRNA 29a, 128a, 486 as they have been previously shown to be implicated in skeletal muscle regeneration and structural adaptation (i.e. hypertrophy)