Monitoring daytime differences in moderate intensity exercise capacity using treadmill test and muscle dissection

There is growing interest in medicine and sports in uncovering exercise modifiers that enhance or limit exercise capacity. Here, we detail a protocol for testing the daytime effect on running capacity in mice using a moderate intensity treadmill effort test. Instructions for dissecting soleus, gastrocnemius plantaris, and quadriceps muscles for further analysis are provided as well. This experimental setup is optimized for addressing questions regarding the involvement of daytime and circadian clocks in regulating exercise capacity. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Ezagouri et al. (2019).