Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 PhD of Exercise Physiology Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
2 University of Guilan
Abstract
Objective:: This study investigated the effect of different exercise intensities in hypoxia and normoxia on liver fat content and endurance performance of rats. Methods & Materials: 48 male Wistar rats (5 weeks) were randomly divided into groups of normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HFD), high-fat diet and moderate-intensity training (HFD-MICT), high-fat diet and hypoxia moderate-intensity training. (HFD-HMICT), high-fat diet and high-intensity interval training (HFD-HIIT), high-fat diet and hypoxia high-intensity interval training (HFD-HHIIT). After determining the maximum aerobic velocity, the exercises were performed for 12 weeks and three sessions per week in normoxia (altitude ̴of 50 m) and hypoxia-hypobaric (altitude ̴ 3000 m). Results: The results showed that weight, liver fat content, and leukocyte number were higher in the HFD group, and endurance performance was lower than in all groups (p<0.05). The lowest rate of weight gain and fat content and the highest endurance performance were in the high-intensity interval training groups (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between HFD-HHIIT and HFD-HIIT groups. Endurance performance in MICT groups was lower than in HIIT groups. The increase in aerobic performance under hypoxic conditions was independent of RBC and HGB changes. Conclusions: MICT in hypoxia did not bring additional benefits in reducing liver fat content compared to normoxia. The increase in endurance performance in the HFD-HHIIT group is independent of changes in blood factors related to oxygen transport capacity; probably, the intervention of this research does not induce sufficient stimulation for blood changes due to short-term exposure to hypoxia.
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