Association of Different HIF1-α and VEGF Gene Genotypes with Changes in Aerobic Capacity Following Moderate-Intensity Endurance Training in Inactive Women -A Pilot Study

This research aimed to investigate the relationship between HIF1-α and VEGF gene genotypes and changes in aerobic capacity following eight weeks of moderate-intensity endurance training in inactive women.

Twenty-three inactive women aged 34 to 43 years old were conveniently selected and performed aerobic training for eight weeks and five 30-minute sessions per week with an intensity of 55% to 75% of maximum heart rate. Before and after the training period, aerobic capacity was measured by the Bruce test. A saliva sample was taken and different genotypes of the HIF1-α gene including CC and different genotypes of the VEGF gene including GG, CG, and CC were measured. Statistical methods of Paired t-test and ANOVA were used to observe mean differences in aerobic capacity and the Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RLFP) method was used to check genotypes.

The results of changes in the aerobic capacity of the subjects and investigation of the relationship between the different genotypes of VEGF and HIF1-α genes following eight weeks of moderate-intensity endurance training, the aerobic capacity of CC and CT genotypes of the HIF1-α gene were equal pre and post-intervention (p=0.529). Also, GG, CC, and CG genotypes of the VEGF gene were equal to the CG genotype (p=0·873). The CT genotype of the HIF1-α gene has the most increase, but this increase was not significant. 

Therefore, Eight weeks of moderate-intensity endurance training increases the aerobic capacity of HIF1-a and VEGF gene profiles in inactive obese women, but the changes in aerobic capacity of these gene profiles are not significant.