The effect of sprint interval training on lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant capacity and heart tissue fibrosis in healthy rats

Exercise is a low-cost and accessible way to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, the traditional approaches of exercise are not time efficient. So, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of sprint interval training (SIT) on cardiac muscle fibrosis and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in cardiac tissue of the healthy male Wistar rats.
  In this experimental study, twenty adult male wistar rats (250-220 g) were divided into two groups: control (n=10, Co) and SIT (n=10, ST). The training was performed for 5 weeks after a one-week familiarization period and maximum speed test. Cardiac fibrosis and tissue levels of MDA and TAC were assessed. The independent samples t-test was used for data analysis.
  Results revealed that the tissue fibrosis percent was significantly lower in the ST group (4.34±0.64) compared to the Co (8±1.5) group (P=0.003). The MDA levels in the ST (1.5mM±0.13) was significantly lower than CO (2.56±0.22 mM) group (P˂0.001). Moreover, TAC level in ST group (1.27mM±0.10) was significantly higher than the CO group (0.74mM±0.06) (P˂0.001).
  Based on the findings of this study, SIT is a useful low-cost exercise method which may help reduce lipid peroxidation and cardiac fibrosis; additionally it may increase total antioxidant capacity in cardiac tissue