Fig. 1

Effects of 3, 7, 14, and 21 days of hindlimb immobilization on muscle mass (a) and total protein content (b) in soleus and plantaris muscles. SOL Soleus muscle, PLA plantaris muscle, Con control, Day 3, 7, 14, 21 period of hindlimb immobilization. The data are shown as the percentage change from the control group for each muscle. Each bar represents the mean ± standard error (SE) (a n = 9–17/group, b n = 5–12/group). Differences in muscle mass and total protein content were assessed by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the Bonferroni’s post hoc test. Significant differences from those of the control group for each muscle: SOL ^† P < 0.05; PLA ^# P < 0.05. Asterisk (*) indicates significant differences (P < 0.05) between day 7 and 14 of hindlimb immobilization in both soleus and plantaris muscles. Double plus sign (‡) indicates significant differences between soleus and plantaris muscles at each time point after immobilization (P < 0.05)