The Effect of One Course of Intense Interval Training on Serum Levels of Vitamin D, Heart Rate Variability and Lung Function in Male Smokers: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Smoking affects heart function, lung function and vitamin D levels, and decrease in serum levels of vitamin D, heart rate variability (HRV) and drop in pulmonary function cause cardiovascular disease. So, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of one course of intense interval training on serum levels of vitamin D, HRV and lung function in male smokers.

In this quasi-experimental study 20 sedentary male voluntarily participated. They were randomly divided into experimental (n=10) and control (n=10) groups. The experimental group participated in an intense interval training program for six weeks and control group did no exercise training. HRV and pulmonary function were assessed by spirometry device and serum levels of vitamin D 48 hours before the first session and 48 hours after the end of last session training. Collected data were analyzed by paired t-test and Multivariate analysis of covariance for within group and between group comparisons, respectively.

The results showed a significant increase in HRV values and pulmonary function and low frequency waves to high frequency waves in the training group compared to the pretest and also compared to the control group (p<0.05). But no significant difference was observed in serum levels of vitamin D both in within group and between group comparisons (p<0.05).

It can be concluded that six weeks of intense interval training, improves function of the autonomic nervous system and pulmonary function in male smokers.