Cited by 78Potassium and Related DisordersCardiovascular and exercise physiologyExercise and Physiological Responses

Regulation of muscle potassium: exercise performance, fatigue and health implications

Lindinger, Michael I., Cairns, Simeon P.·2021·European Journal of Applied Physiology

Abstract

This review integrates from the single muscle fibre to exercising human the current understanding of the role of skeletal muscle for whole-body potassium (K+) regulation, and specifically the regulation of skeletal muscle [K+]. We describe the K+ transport proteins in skeletal muscle and how they contribute to, or modulate, K+ disturbances during exercise. Muscle and plasma K+ balance are markedly altered during and after high-intensity dynamic exercise (including sports), static contractions and ischaemia, which have implications for skeletal and cardiac muscle contractile performance. Moderate elevations of plasma and interstitial [K+] during exercise have beneficial effects on multiple physiological systems. Severe reductions of the trans-sarcolemmal K+ gradient likely contributes to muscle and whole-body fatigue, i.e. impaired exercise performance. Chronic or acute changes of arterial plasma [K+] (hyperkalaemia or hypokalaemia) have dangerous health implications for cardiac function. The current mechanisms to explain how raised extracellular [K+] impairs cardiac and skeletal muscle function are discussed, along with the latest cell physiology research explaining how calcium, β-adrenergic agonists, insulin or glucose act as clinical treatments for hyperkalaemia to protect the heart and skeletal muscle in vivo. Finally, whether these agents can also modulate K+-induced muscle fatigue are evaluated.

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Crossref · 10.1007/s00421-020-04546-8

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262 of 262 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Extracellular potassium levels, which rise during intense exercise, can further disrupt muscle excitation and contraction processes, contributing to muscle fatigue.

    “Additionally, extracellular potassium levels, which rise during intense exercise, can further disrupt muscle excitation and contraction processes, contributing to muscle fatigue17,39.”

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Authors
Lindinger, M. I., & Cairns, S. P.
Affiliations
Auckland University of Technology (NZ)
Corresponding author
Cairns, Simeon P.
Venue
European Journal of Applied Physiology
Published
2021-01-04
Volume
121
Issue
3
Pages
721-748
ISSN
  • 0020-9376 (ISSN-L)
  • 1439-6319
  • 1439-6327
OpenAlex
W3119220887
Cited by
78
References
262
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 6
FWCI
1.98
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • European Journal of Applied Physiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Potassium and Related Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
Keywords
physical activity, muscle fatigue, hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, plasma potassium, ischemia, cardiac function, exercise performance, calcium, beta-adrenergic agonists, insulin, glucose
MeSH terms
Humans, Potassium, Exercise, Muscle, Skeletal, Muscle Fatigue

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