ABSTRACT
Abstract The present study investigated the effects of aerobic physical training on the femoral morphological, densitometric and biomechanical properties in growing male rats subjected to protein-based malnutrition. Four-week-old male Wistar rats were randomized into groups of 10 animals: Control Sedentary (CS), Control Trained (CT), Malnourished Sedentary (MS) and Malnourished Trained (MT). Control and malnourished animals received diets with 12% protein and 6% protein, respectively. The trained groups were submitted to a treadmill running program for 8 weeks. Total proteins and albumin were analyzed in the animals' blood plasma. Histological, densitometric and biomechanical analyzes were performed on the animals' femur. Body mass gain, physical performance, biochemical markers and the femoral morphological, densitometric and biomechanical properties were determined. Exercise tolerance increased in trained groups. Malnourished animals exhibited lower serum protein and albumin levels than controls. Porosity and trabecular bone density were not different between groups. The femoral maximum load, maximum load until fracture, resilience, stiffness, tenacity and densitometric properties were reduced by malnutrition. Physical training associated with malnutrition exacerbated the impairment in the femoral maximum load, maximum load until fracture, bone mineral content and density. Aerobic physical training worsens the damages induced by protein-based malnutrition in the femoral biomechanical and densitometric properties of growing male rats.