The Effects of TRX and Traditional Resistance Training on Some of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Sedentary Women

Disorders of lipid metabolism threaten human life in all countries with different percentages and causes of cardiovascular diseases and reduced physical activity has accelerated the spread of these complications. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of eight weeks of TRX training and traditional resistance training on some cardiovascular risk factors in sedentary women.

In this quasi-experimental study, 28 inactive women with a Mean±SD age of 21.07±1.41 years and a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 22.52±4.25 kg/m2 were randomly divided into three exercise groups of TRX, traditional resistance training, and control. The experimental groups performed the traditional resistance training protocol and TRX three sessions per week for eight weeks, while the control group did not participate in any training program during the study. Blood samples were taken from all subjects before and 48 hours after the last training session for analysis of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and TC/HDL ratio were used. Data were statistically analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, T-dependence test, and one-way analysis of variance, and the significance level was P<0.05.

In the intragroup evaluation of TC indices (P=0.001), TG (P=0.023), LDL (P=0.024), VLDL (P=0.023), and TC/HDL ratio (P=0.021) in the traditional resistance training group, and TG indices (P=0.001), VLDL (P= 0.001) and TC/HDL ratio (P=0.004) in the TRX group from the pre-test stage to the post-test showed a significant decrease, while the amount of HDL decreased in the traditional resistance group and increased in the TRX group, which this decrease and the increase was not statistically significant. Also, the results of the one-way analysis of variance showed a significant difference in some indicators in both experimental groups than the control group, but no significant difference was observed between the two experimental groups in any of the indicators.

According to the findings of this study, it can be said that regular TRX and traditional resistance exercise both lead to improved lipid profile that is associated with cardiovascular disease and is a useful factor in preventing cardiovascular disease and inactive women. Both TRX and traditional resistance training programs can be used in this regard.