Effects of a Period of HIIT Exercises on Bone Mineral Density and Bone Mineral Content in Male Mature Rats

With regard to the importance of curing osteoporosis, the following study aims at investigating the effects of a period of HIIT exercises on BMD and BMC in male mature rats. In the present study, 27 adult male Wistar rats, with an average weight of 190±20 grams were used. Mice were divided into three groups with the same diet: high intensity interval training (HIIT) (n=9), continuous training (n=9), and control group (n=9). Then, 24 hours after six weeks of training sessions, and after using anesthesia, the rats were sacrificed. HIIT protocol was equivalent to an intensity of 95% to 100% of the maximum oxygen consumption. The first session of the continuous exercise was initiated with an intensity equal to 80% of the maximum consumed oxygen. After each training session, one minute was added to the time of the exercise and after each week, the speed was increased by one meter per second. The femurs of the animals were carefully extracted and placed in formalin solution. Evaluations of BMD and BMC were performed using DEXA method at the femoral neck site. After the exercise, in order to analyze the dates of one-way analysis of variance, the Scheffe’ test was used with the significance level of 0.5. The results in BMD indicated a non-significant increase in the bone density of the HIIT group and also a non-significant decrease in the continuation training group compared with the control group. Also, in the HIIT group, there was a significant increase in BMC compared with the continuation group and also compared with the control group. Considering that HIIT has led to an increase in BMC, it seems that this training method, after considering the scientific exercise principles (including age, sex, exercise records, access to good nutrition, etc.), can have a positive effect on the individuals exposed to the risk of osteoporosis.