The Effect of a Period of Interval Training and Step Taper on Performance Indexes in Male Rats during Puberty

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a period of interval training and step taper on weight changes and endurance performance in male rats during puberty. In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats (3 weeks old) were randomly divided into exercise and control groups. After 6 weeks of incremental interval training, exercise group was divided in to 3 groups of 3-week taper with Intensity, frequency and repetition. Weight and performance indexes were evaluated. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and LSD test at α≤0.05. The results showed a significant difference in fatigue time among all different taper groups (P≤0.001) and also between taper weeks and interval period (P≤0.008). Intensity taper with 28.57% reduction in intensity had the best average fatigue time, distance traveled in the test and performance (Pri) compared with other groups. Also, the distance traveled in the test and exhaustion time reached their maximum in the second week of taper. The results of the present study suggested that intensity step taper increased endurance performance by 52.13%. Also, 2 weeks of reduction in exercise load can have more effective synergic effects through an intervention in weight changes and exhaustion time.