The Effect of 8 Weeks of Selected Aerobic Training on Pulmonary Function and Hematological Factors in Chemical Weapon Female Victims

The most common symptom in survivors of chemical attacks with mustard agent is pulmonary complications. Few studies have been conducted about the respiratory response to exercise and hematological factors in chemical weapon female victims. This study aimed to examine the effect of eight weeks of selected aerobic exercise on pulmonary function and hematological factors in chemical weapon female victims. 31 chemical weapon female victims with no acute pulmonary disease and no history of participation in physical activities were purposefully selected and randomly divided into two groups: exercise (mean age 30.7±5.9 years, height 161.1±5.2cm, weight 64.1±7.4 kg) and control (mean age 32.8 ± 6.08 years, height 159.0±3.5cm, weight 69.7±8.4 kg). The resting heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressures at rest were measured and then the initial fasting blood samples were obtained. Spirometry test was used to evaluate some respiratory variables (%FEV1, %MVV, (%75- %25)FEF,% FVC, % FEV1); 6 min. walking test was performed as well. The exercise subjects participated in eight weeks of aerobic training (3 days a week for 40-30 minutes) with the intensity of 45-65% HRR. 24 hours after the last training session, the same measurements were repeated, blood samples were collected and Spirometry test was performed again. The data were analyzed using paired t tests and independent t test (P≤0.05). The results showed that selected aerobic exercise had a significant effect on respiratory variables (% FEV1, % MVV, (%75-%25) % FEF, %FVC, % FEV1) (p≤0.05). Also, no significant difference was found between pretest and posttest in mean hematological factors (WBC- RBC- HB- PLT- HCT). It was concluded that eight weeks of selected aerobic exercise can improve respiratory variables in chemical weapon female victims, but such effect was not observed on their hematological factors.