The Effect of Aerobic Exercise with Constant and Variable Intensities on Body Composition, Some Physiological Indicators and Coagulation Factors in Middle Aged Overweight Women

Fibrinogen is one of the most important inflammation factors and a prediction index in cardio vascular diseases. This study was performed with aim to evaluate the effect of aerobic exercise with constant and variable intensities on body composition and some physiological indicators and coagulation factors in middle aged overweight women.

This semi-experimental and practical study was performed in 2015 on 30 women in three groups: aerobic exercise with constant intensity (n=10), variable intensity (n=10) and control (n=10) in the city of Bojnourd. The aerobic training program included eight weeks of aerobic training, 30 minutes of aerobic training with a constant intensity with 60% of heart rate and variable intensity included 2 minutes of bike pedaling with 50% of maximal heart rate and 1 minute of bike pedaling with 70% of maximal heart rate. The levels of fibrinogen, PT, PTT, platelet count and non-coagulation factor were collected 24 hours before and 48 hours after the training session. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 25) and dependent t-test, Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and tukey post hoc test for intra-group and inter-group changes, respectively. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant

Weight (constant intensity, P=0.001 and variable intensity, P=0.001), body mass index (constant intensity, P=0.001 and variable intensity, P=0.001), systolic (constant intensity, P=0.03 and variable intensity, P=0.001), and diastolic blood pressure (constant intensity, P=0.001 and variable intensity, P=0.001) decreased significantly in both groups. However, body fat percentage decreased significantly only in the constant intensity group (P=0.001). Prothrombin time (PT) (constant intensity, P=0.004 and variable intensity, P=0.009), thromboplastin time (PTT) (constant intensity, P=0.005 and variable intensity, P=0.01), fibrinogen (constant intensity, P=0.001 and variable intensity, P=0.02), and platelet counts (constant intensity, P=0.02 and variable intensity, P=0.001) significantly decreased in both groups. However, non-coagulation factor significantly increased in both groups (constant intensity, P=0.003 and variable intensity, P=0.001). The amount of flexibility (constant intensity, P=0.003 and variable intensity, P=0.001) and maximal oxygen consumption (constant intensity, P=0.001 and variable intensity, P=0.001) increased significantly in both groups

Eight weeks of aerobic training with two constant and variable intensities by reducing body composition indices, coagulation factors and increasing fitness indices in overweight women can possibly improve cardiovascular health and reduce inflammation.