The Effect of Eight Weeks of Aerobic Training on VO2max and Indices in 30-45 Year Old Non-athlete Women

The results of researches have shown that blood components and elements may change by performing various physical exercises, such that some of these changes can result in anemia in both athletes and non-athletes individuals. The present study aims to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of aerobic training on VO2max and hematologic indices in 30-45 year old non-athlete women in the city of Galugah. The method of this study is quasi-experimental including a pre-test and post-test with a control group. The participants of the study consisted of 30 non-athlete women with Mean (age of 36.9 ± 4/5 yrs, weight of 74.09 ± 11/9 kg, height of 158.30 ± 4/9 cm and BF= 39/55± 11/5). The training protocol included 8 weeks of aerobic training (3 sessions per week, each comprising 60 minutes running exercise at 60-70% maximum heart rate across 1600 meters). In order to investigate the studied variables Blood samples were collected and examined during 2 phases, both before and after 8 weeks of training protocol. Dependent t test was used to compare the pre-test and post-test obtained means of each group, and independent t test was applied to compare the groups at α=0.05. following 8 weeks of aerobic training, RDW changes (RBC distribution range) was not significant despite significant increases in VO2max, RCB, HCT and Hb as well as significant decreases in iron, ferritin, MCV, MCH and MCHC. VO2max values significantly increased in the experimental group comparing with the control group. Ferritin, iron, RBC, MCV and MCH values significantly decreased in the experimental group in the post-test comparing with the control group whereas Hct, Hb and RDW values increased in the control group comparing with the experimental group, though the variations were not significant. And also the MCHC values of control group in the post-test had an insignificant increase compared with the experimental group. Discussion and Results have shown that aerobic training can cause variations in hematological indices in middle-aged women. And also aerobic training not only has favorable effects on cardiovascular adaptation, but also is the most effective factor in increasing aerobic capacity (Vo2max).