Table 1.

Progressive resistance exercise protocol.

	Week 1	Week 2	Week 3	Week 4
Repetition	10 repetition
% load/BW	0–50	60	70	80
Rest	2 min interval between repetition
Frequency	3 sessions per week

Progressive resistance ladder climbing exercise was performed in HEX group following 2 weeks of hindlimb suspension. Exercise intervention was implemented on a 1-m ladder with 2-cm grid and 0.25-m width at 85° inclination against a wall. Gentle brush to rats was used to encourage rats to accomplish each exercise bout. If the rats were unable to accomplish a certain weight load, previous weight load was used to encourage them to accomplish a total of 10 bouts.