The Effect of High Intensity Interval Training with Genistein on Biomechanical Properties of Femur Bone in Elderly Female Rats

Proper exercise and nutrition can help prevent bone disorders in old age, therefore present study aimed to investigate the effects of high intensity interval training (HIIT) with genistein (Ge) on biomechanical properties of femur bone in elderly female rats.

In this experimental study, 40 elderly female rats with mean age of 18- 24 months and mean weight of 220.15±15.28 g were divided into five groups of eight rats including: 1) control (C), 2) sham (Sh), 3) HIIT, 4) HIIT + Ge, and 5) Ge. During eight weeks groups 3 and 4 performed HIIT for three sessions per week with an intensity of 90 to 95% of maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) in high intensity intervals and 40 to 45% VO2max in low intensity intervals and groups 4 and 5 received 60 mg/kg/day Ge peritoneally. Maximum bending strength (Fmax) measured with three- point bending test and serum levels of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus were measured by o-Cresolphthalein and molybdate methods, respectively. Shapiro- Wilk, one way ANOVA with Tukey’s post- hoc tests were used for analysis of data (P≤0.05).

HIIT (P=0.02), Ge (P=0.001) and HIIT+Ge (P=0.001) significantly increased Fmax also Ge (P=0.04) and HIIT+Ge (P=0.03) had more favorable effect on increasing Fmax compare to HIIT nevertheless HIIT, Ge and HIIT+Ge had not significant effect on Ca and phosphorus (P≥0.05).

Although HIIT and Ge alone can enhance Fmax in femur of elderly female rats, nevertheless HIIT+Ge has more favorable effect on increase of Fmax compare to HIIT.