Effects of number of aerobic training sessions on some systemic inflammatory indices in obese male students

Physical exercise is well recognized as an important strategy for reducing the risk of chronic disease via improving the inflammatory profile. This study examined and compared the influence of three sessions versus five sessions of aerobic training per week on serum levels of C - reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen, and lipids profile in young sedentary obese men. This study was an applied one with semi-experimental design. Participants included 28 sedentary obese men (BMI: 30.8±2.81 kg/m2,mean aged: 21 years), which were randomly assigned to control group and two training groups: three sessions of running training (50-75% of heart rate reserve) per week for 50-60 minutes in each session, and five sessions per week for 30-40 minutes in each session. Both groups were trainined for a priod 16 weeks. Serum levels of CRP, fibrinogen, and lipids profile and anthropometric indices were measured before and 48 hours after the last training session. Although three sessions of aerobic training perweek significantly changed the body composition (P<0.05), triglycerid (P=0.047) and LDL-C (P=0.048) levels, but no significant changes were observed in CRP and fibrinogen levels. In the five sessions training group, a significant improvement in anthropometric indices (P<0.05) and lipids profile (P<0.05), and a significant reduction of CRP (P=0.015) and fibrinogen (P=0.003) was observed. Furthermore, there were significant correlations between changes in fibrinogen concentrations and changes in waist circumference in the five sessions training group (P=0.048, r= 0.670). Aerobic training is useful for the improvement of body composition and ameliorating lipids profile. However, due to significant decreases in inflammatory biomarkers, CRP and fibrinogen, in the group with five training sessions per week, this training protocol is recommended to attenuate obesity and inflammation in young sedentary obese men.