What role do skeletal muscle cells play in internal balance of potassium during exercise?
In addition to taking part in cellular uptake of potassium under the influence of insulin, skeletal muscle cells also participate in the changes of ECF potassium that occur with exercise. Exercise increases ECF potassium, which limits muscle excitability and contractility leading to fatigue. Increased ECF potassium also causes vasodilation, increasing blood flow to exercising muscle. Exercise causes β2 adrenergic mediated stimulation of Na + -K + -ATPase pump that shifts potassium back into the cells.
