Comparison of the Effect of Two Moderate and High-Intensity Endurance and Resistance Training Methods on Predictors of Cardiovascular Diseases and Arteriosclerosis in Elderly Rats

Today, cardiovascular diseases are one of the main causes of death. This study was conducted to compare the effect of resistance and endurance training on predictors of cardiovascular diseases and arteriosclerosis in aged male rats.

The present study is an experimental and fundamental research with a control group conducted in 2021 in the basic science laboratory of Shahrekord University in Iran. Fifty elderly male Wistar rats with an average weight of 432.7±4.4 grams and an age of 23±2 months were randomly divided into five groups. The control group was divided into two resistance training groups (climbing a special ladder) and two continuous training groups (running on a treadmill), and they did the training protocols for eight weeks and five sessions every week. Data analysis was performed using a one-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test with SPSS 22 software at p≤0.05 level.

The results of the present study showed that the level of HDL increased significantly in all four training groups compared to the control group (p≤0.05). LDL level and LDL/HDL ratio decreased significantly in all four training groups compared to the control group (p≤0.05). The level of TC decreased significantly only in the high-intensity resistance training group (p≤0.05). Even though both training methods led to changes in the levels of TG, VLDL, ApoA1, ApoB, and ApoB/ ApoA1 ratio, these changes were not statistically significant (p>0.05). The difference between the two training methods was insignificant (p>0.05).

Both training methods caused positive changes in HDL, LDL factors, and LDL/ HDL ratio. Performing both training methods is recommended for older adults and people at risk, especially the military, although endurance training has more effect and fewer risks.