Effect of Six Weeks Endurance Training on Some Hemodynamic Factors in High-fat Diet-Fed Male Rats

Hypertension is a pivotal modifiable risk factor for global cardiovascular diseases and premature mortality, often associated with a high-fat diet. This study aimed to explore the impact of endurance training on selected hemodynamic factors in rats subjected to a high-fat diet.

In this experimental research, 21 male Wistar rats (weighing 200-250 g) were randomly assigned to three groups: high-fat diet (HF), normal diet (C), and high-fat diet with endurance training (HF+T), each comprising seven rats. The HF and HF+T groups were exposed to a high-fat diet (60% calories from fat) for 12 weeks. Subsequently, the HF+T group underwent a six-week, five-sessions-per-week endurance training program. Cardiac parameters were recorded using physiography, and data analysis was performed with SPSS software version 24, utilizing one-way ANOVA.

The one-way ANOVA results showed no significant difference between groups in heart rate (p=0.143). However, systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in the HF+T group compared to C (p=0.001) and HF (p=0.045) groups. The HF group also exhibited significantly elevated systolic blood pressure compared to the C group (p=0.044). Additionally, diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher in both the HF (p=0.021) and HF+T (p=0.009) groups compared to the C group.

This study suggests that a high-fat diet, particularly when combined with endurance training, leads to an increase in blood pressure in rats compared to those fed a normal diet, emphasizing the complex relationship between diet, exercise, and cardiovascular health. The findings underscore the importance of understanding these interactions for comprehensive cardiovascular risk management. The identified hemodynamic changes contribute valuable insights for future interventions aimed at mitigating the impact of high-fat diets on cardiovascular health.