Design and Evaluation of Effect 8-Week Home-Base Combined Exercise on Visceral Obesity and Cardiovascular Function of Veterans from Different Regions of Mazandaran Province and Their Wives: A Strategy to Reduce Inactivity During the Covid-19 Pandemic

The continuing spread of the pandemic COVID-19 and concerns of veterans and their spouses working in health clubs will be under threat. The aim of this study was to design and evaluate an 8-week combined exercise protocol at home on visceral obesity-related body composition indices (VAI, WHR, BMI, AVI, WHtR, and BAI) and cardiovascular parameters (SBP, DBP, HR, and RPP) veterans of Mazandaran province and their wives.

In this quasi-experimental study, 240 veterans with 25-49% trauma and their spouses were randomly divided into two groups of sports intervention and control. Based on the principle of overload, the intensity and duration of training (200 steps per day) were added to the number of steps and each week the number of sets and repetitions of resistance exercises progressively was increased. Variables were measured at the beginning and end of the training period using laboratory devices (Bruce protocol and electrical bioimpedance) and field test (Rockport). Data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance at the P<0.05 level.

Performing 8 weeks of combined training at home significantly improved visceral obesity indices (P<0.01) and significantly reduced myocardial stress (RPP) (P<0.05) in veterans living in the east, center and west of the province compared to The control group as well as their spouses (P<0.05). In addition, a similar significant improvement in cardiovascular function following Bruce (P<0.01) and Rockport (P<0.05) tests was seen only in veterans of these areas. Although this difference between veterans and their spouses was significant in these areas, in the residents of eastern Mazandaran was better than the central and western regions, respectively.

A moderate-intensity combined home exercise program that allows the subject to speak can play a pivotal role in improving cardiovascular function and modulating visceral obesity during the Covid-19 pandemic in war veterans. Paying attention to physical health, especially the spouses of veterans, is recommended to improve the quality of life.