Physical conditioning: Effect on the myoglobin concentration in skeletal and cardiac muscle of bar-headed geese

1. 1. A 12 week program of treadmill exercise (0.7 m/sec, 30 min per day, five days per week), significantly increased the myoglobin concentration of the femorotibialis medius muscle in bar-headed geese as compared to nonexercised controls. 2. 2. The myoglobin concentration differed among various muscles within a bird. The highest myoglobin concentrations were found in the primary flight muscle, the pectoralis major, and in cardiac muscle. 3. 3. By physically conditioning their muscles, bar-headed geese may improve the oxygen flow to mitochondria and, thereby, enhance their ability to exercise under conditions of low oxygen partial pressures.