Physical activity can improve sensorimotor recovery after peripheral nerve injury. Growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) is highly correlated with neuronal development and axonal regeneration and present in large quantities in the axonal growth cone. Using immunofluorescene staining and anterograde and retorgrade techniques, we identified enhanced axonal regrowth in distal stump of the sciatic nerve 3-14 days after crush injury in rats with treadmill training. We also carried out western blot to investigate GAP-43 protein expression in injured sciatic nerve. GAP-43 protein levels were highly induced in the injured sciatic nerve 3, 7 and 14 days compared with sedentary group. Thus, the present data provide a new evidence that treadmill training promoted axonal re-growth after injury and increased GAP-43 protein levels in the regenerating nerve.