The positive effect of high-intensity interval swimming on improving motor performance in rats with Parkinson's disease model

The effect of swimming on the behavioral complications of Parkinson’s disease has been investigated recently. However, based on our research, accurate and reliable information is still not available to clarify the effect of this type of exercises. So, the present study designed amid to investigate the effect of high-intensity interval swimming on improving performance in rats with Parkinson's disease model.

Methods & Material: 

In this experimental study, twenty-one 8 to 10-week-old male Wistar rats (weight 200±10.2 grams) were divided into three groups (7 rats in each group), including healthy control, disease control and swimming. Parkinson's disease was induced through intraperitoneal injection of reserpine for 5 consecutive days in the rats of disease control and swimming groups and the rats in the swimming group performed high-intensity interval swimming according to the training protocol for 6 consecutive weeks. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and along with LSD post hoc test through SPSS-22 at the P<0.05.

Based on the result of Shapiro Wilk test, the distribution of data in the present study was completely normal. There was a significant difference in the time of bar test between healthy group and diseased control group (P<0.05). There was also a significant decrease in the time of bar test swimming group with both diseased and healthy groups (P<0.05).

In general, the findings of the present study showed that swimming training could significantly improve the motor disorder in rats with Parkinson’s disease. The results also showed the beneficial effects of swimming on the improvement of motor activity in rats.