The effect of endurance training on the oxidative and glycolytic potentials of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles of rats has been studied. Training consisted of treadmill running (28 m/min, 60 min/day, 5 days/wk) for periods ranging from 8-26 weeks. Exercise of similar duration and intensity produced a glycogen depletion in the diaphragm and intercostal muscles of nontrained rats. Oxidative potential was estimated from the activity of the mitochondrial marker enzyme succinate dehydrogenase (SDH). The activities of phosphorylase (PHOS), hexokinase (HK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined as well as the distribution of the LDH isozymes. SDH activity averaged 44 (42-51) and 17 (10-22)% (P less than 0.0l) greater in the plantaris and diaphragm muscles, respectively, after 8-12 weeks of endurance running as compared to the sedentary animals. There was no change in the SDH activity of the intercostal muscles or in the activities of the glycolytic enzymes. There was also no change in the distribution of the isozymes of LDH. Extending the duration of the training program to 26 weeks did not produce any additional alteration in the magnitude of the adaptation observed after the initial training period. Comparative studies of different types of muscles demonstrated that the diaphragm, although having a fiber composition somewhat similar to that of a fast-twitch skeletal muscle, has a metabolic profile that is intermediate between pure slow twitch skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle.