Objective: Voluntary exercise is frequently used in experimental exercise studies, but it is not known whether isolating animals in this method affects stress. The aim of this study was to compare voluntary physical activity and stress-related factors between single and pair-housed female rats. Materials and Methods: Rats were divided into control single (C-S) and control double (C-D), physically active-single (PAS), and physically active-double (PA-D) groups, and voluntary physical activity was recorded for eight weeks.
Cortisol in serum, interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) in serum and left ventricle were determined to evaluate the stress. Cardiomyocyte morphology was assessed to understand activity-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Results: The mean weekly voluntary activities of the PA-S group were higher than those of the PA-D group from week 3 to week 8 (p 0.05).
Cardiomyocyte diameters were similar in the PA-S and PA-D groups (p>0.05), and the data of both groups were higher than the control group (P