Comparison of The Effect of Aerobic Training in Sea Water and Beach on Endothelial Function, Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Overweight Elderly Men

The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of training in water and land on endothelial function, inflammation and oxidative stress in overweight elderly men.  

30 overweight men aged 50 to 55 years with a body mass index between 25 and 30 were purposefully selected and randomly divided into three groups of exercise in sea water, exercise on the beach and control (10 people in each group).  The training program were performed for 8 weeks. Training (both on the beach and in the sea) included 25 minutes of running for the weeks of first to eighth with 60%, 65%, 70%, 70%, 75%, 75%, 80% and 85%, respectively. Maximum heart rate was performed. Polar heart rate monitor was used to control heart rate. 24 hours before and 48 hours after the last session, blood samples were taken from all groups in a 12-hour fasting state. C-reactive protein, Malondialdehyde, Endothelin-1, Nitric Oxide and Flow Mediated Dilations were measured for each sample.  

The results showed that the levels of MDA, CRP and ET-1 in the two training groups significantly decreased compared to the control group and the levels of NO and FMD in the two training groups increased significantly compared to the control group (P <0.05). But there was no significant difference between the two training groups (P> 0.05).  

It is possible that aerobic training in both seawater and land can improve the endothelial function of overweight elderly men, thereby preventing cardiovascular disease in these individuals. Reducing oxidative stress and inflammation are thought to be major reasons for improving endothelial function following aerobic training.