The Effect of Interval and Continuous Training on Some Apoptotic Markers in the Heart Tissue of Rats

Apoptosis is a highly organized and programmed process that plays a vital role in monitoring various types of non-pathological cell events; however, the effect of various sport activities with various intensities on apoptosis is still not fully identified. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of interval and continuous training on some apoptotic markers in the heart tissue of rats. 20 rats were randomly divided into four groups: first week control, last week control, interval training, and continuous training. Interval training was performed for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week, and 2- 8 intervals each session with the intensity of 85-110% of maximum sprint speed, while continuous training was performed for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week, 16-40 minutes per session equal to 55-60% of maximum sprint speed. To analyze the findings, independent t test and MANOVA were employed using SPSS software (P≤0.05). The gene expression levels of Bax, Caspase 9, and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in continuous training and interval training groups were significantly lower than the last week control group (P≤0.05); gene expression levels of Bcl-2 in interval training group were significantly higher than the last week control group (P≤0.05). There were no significant differences in gene expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase 9, and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in continuous training and interval training groups (P≥0.05). It seems that interval and continuous training have the same effects on cell anti-apoptotic adaptations in the heart tissues of Sprague Dawley male rats.