Moderate intensity continuous and interval training increased VEGF and decreased cholesterol levels in female rats high calorie diet

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of moderate-intensity continuous training and moderate-intensity interval training on VEGF and cholesterol levels in female rats given high-calorie diet. The research was a randomized post-test with only a control group design. Thirty-two female rats were randomly assigned to four groups, P1 (n=8, standard diet group), P2 (n=8, high-calorie diet group), P3 (n=8, combination high-calorie diet and moderate intensity continuous training), P4 (n=8, combination high-calorie diet and moderate intensity interval training). The P2,P3,P4 consisted of an ad libitum standard diet plus a dextrose solution for 4 weeks. The intervention group of P3 underwent swimming plus 6% load of body weight for 10 minutes in first week, 20 minutes in second week, and 30 minutes in third and fourth week. The intervention group of P4 underwent swimming with a ratio of 2:1 between swimming and rest time, plus 6% load of body weight, progressively increased each week. Cholesterol and VEGF levels were measured post-intervention. The mean cholesterol levels in both high-calorie diet group combined with MICT and MIIT were significantly lower (p < 0.001) compared to high-calorie diet group. The mean VEGF of high-calorie diet group combined with MICT was significantly higher (p = 0.025) compared to standard and high-calorie diet group, and high-calorie diet group combined with MIIT was significantly higher (p = 0.004) compared to high-calorie diet group. It can be concluded that both moderate-intensity continuous and interval training significantly increased VEGF and reduced cholesterol levels. Key Words: obesity, interval training, continuous training, cholesterol, VEGF.