Robert Staron, Ph.D.

     It has been known for some time that mammalian skeletal muscle consists of two major fiber types: fast and slow twitch. These can be distinguished based upon differences in physiological, morphological, biochemical and histochemical characteristics. More recent studies have demonstrated the existence of numerous subtypes between these two extremes and suggest a continuum of "fiber types". My research interests center on factors involved in the maintenance and adaptation of these skeletal muscle fiber types in response to specific workloads. Current research projects include the acute and chronic effects of overtraining, muscle fiber damage induced with eccentric and concentric exercise, the myosin composition of specific intrafusal and extrafusal muscle fibers, and adaptations occurring in skeletal muscle resulting from over- and under- loading.

Selected References:

• Staron R.S., Hagerman F.C., Hikida R.S., Murray T.F., Hostler D., Crill M.T., Ragg K.E., Toma K. (2000) Fiber type composition of the vastus lateralis muscle of young men and women. J. Histochem. Cytochem.

• Hostler D., Crill M.T., Hagerman F.C., Staron R.S. (2000) Effectiveness of 0.5 lb increments in progressive reistance exercise. J. Strength Cond. Res. (in press)

• Pette D., Staron R.S. (2000) Myosin isoforms, muscle fiber types and transitions. Microscopy Res. Tech. (in press)

• Hikida R.S., Staron R.S., Hagerman F.C., Walsh S.J., Kaiser E., Shell, S., Hervey S. (2000) Effects of high intensity resistance training on untrained older men. II. Muscle fiber characteristics and nucleo-cytoplasmic relationships. J. Gerontol. (in press)

• Hagerman F.C., Walsh S.J., Staron R.S., Hikida R.S., Toma K., Ragg K.E. (2000) Effects of high intensity resistance training on untrained older men. I. Strength, cardiovascular and metabolic responses. J. Gerontol. (in press)

• Staron R.S., Murray T.F., Gilders R.E., Hagerman F.C., Hikida R.S., Ragg K.E. (2000) Influence of resistance training on serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in young men and women. J. Strength Cond. Res. 14:(in press)