Investigating the Effect of High-intensity Interval Training on Serum Levels of Antioxidants and Oxidative Stress in Overweight and Obese Girls

Abstract

Background and Objective: The prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically worldwide over the last 50 years. The results of some studies suggest that obesity and overweight are related to increased oxidative stress. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of combined high-intensity interval training on serum levels of antioxidants and oxidative stress in obese and overweight girls. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four obese and overweight girls volunteered to participate in this semi-experimental study. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups: the training group (n=12, age: 21.6±2.0, weight: 71.00 ± 4.13, BMI: 28.58 ± 1.68 and the control group (n=12, age: 20.1 ± 9.2, weight: 71.75 ± 5.40, BMI: 28.08 ± 1.59). The training group (4 weeks/4 sessions per week) performed combined high-intensity interval training, while the control group did not exercise during the intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis at a significance level of 0.05. Results: Antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione (GSH) and blood lipid profiles (TC, TG, HDL-c, LDL-c) showed no insignificant changes compared to the control group after four weeks of combined high-intensity interval training (P>0.05). On the other hand, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels showed a significant decrease after the intervention compared to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: 8 weeks of combined high-intensity interval training significantly reduced MDA levels. According to the results, this type of training protocol can therefore be considered an effective method to reduce oxidative stress in obese and overweight girls.