A Comparison on the Effect of 8 Weeks High Intensity Interval and Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Continuous Training on Selected Predictive Factors of Heart Failure in Sedentary Postmenopausal Women

Physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by modification of inflammation. The purpose of present study was to compare the effect of 8 weeks high intensity interval and moderate-intensity aerobic continuous training on predictive factor of heart failure in sedentary postmenopausal women. In this study, 30 healthy sedentary postmenopausal women (mean ± SE: age, 55.45 ± 0.49 years; weight, 71.26 ± 1.59 Kg) were selected in Isfahan and the subjects were randomly divided into three groups high intensity interval training, moderate-intensity aerobic continuous training and control. The high intensity interval training group participated in an exercise program at 60–90% of heart rate reserve and the moderate-intensity aerobic continuous training group participated in an exercise program at 50–65% of heart rate reserve but the control group did not participate in any regular physical activity program during this period. C-reactive protein and lipid profiles were compared using repeated measure ANOVA before and after 8 weeks in three groups. The results showed a significant decrease in C reactive protein and increase in high intensity lipoprotein of high intensity interval training group in comparison of other groups. A significant increase in HDL-C/LDL-C was seen in both training groups compared to the control group. Results of this study showed that high intensity interval training have more effective role than moderate-intensity aerobic continuous training exercises in preventing of cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women.