Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to clarify gene expression profile associated with high-intensity intermittent training-induced improvements in anaerobic capacity. Methods: Eleven healthy young subjects (age 23±3 years) completed 6-week of high-intensity intermittent training [6-7 sets of 20-s exercise at an intensity of about 170% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) with 10-s rest between each bout]. Before and after the intervention, we evaluated VO₂max and maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD) as an index of anaerobic capacity, gene expression profile in the vastus lateralis by using microarray analysis. Results: After the training, VO₂max and MAOD increased significantly (P<0.05). Of the 53,617 genes analyzed in the microarray analyses, 168 genes were significantly upregulated (fold change > 1.2, P<0.05), while 116 genes were significantly downregulated (fold change < 0.8, P<0.05) following the training. Pathway analysis revealed that 30 pathways were significantly upregulated, and that 21 pathways were significantly downregulated (Z-score>0, P<0.01). Conclusion: This study provides a gene expression profile related to molecular mechanisms underlying training-induced improvements in anaerobic capacity.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.36/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE