Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training versus Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on the Total Antioxidant Capacity, Malondialdehyde, and Superoxide Dismutase in Obese/Overweight Middle-Aged Women

The antioxidant system, which protects the body against the damaging effects of oxidants, can be affected by a variety of factors, including exercise. The present study aimed to compare the effects of high-intensity interval training versus moderate-intensity continuous training on the oxidative and antioxidant indices in overweight middle-aged women.

A total of 30 inactive and obese/overweight women, aged 40-50 years, with a BMI>27 kg/m2, were randomized to high-intensity interval training, moderate-intensity continuous training, and control groups. The exercise intervention consisted of 12 weeks of training in three supervised sessions per week. Before and after the exercise program, the subjects’ blood samples were tested for the total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) level. Repeated measures ANOVA and student’s t-test were applied in SPSS version 20 for data analysis (P<0.05).

The results showed that after 12 weeks of regular exercise, the total antioxidant capacity increased significantly in the groups of moderate-intensity continuous training and high-intensity interval training (P<0.05). Also, the results showed no significant differences in the MDA and SOD levels.

Twelve weeks of high-intensity interval training or moderate-intensity continuous training both result in an increase in the total antioxidant capacity that could be effective in reducing the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.