[ effect of an eight-week aerobic exercise program on the homocysteine level and VO[2]max in young non-athlete men]

ABSTRACT

An elevated homocysteine level is a serious risk factor among the cardiovascular risk factors. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an eight-week aerobic exercise on the homocysteine level and VO[2]max and also to determine the correlation between the homocysteine level and VO[2]max. In this quasi-experimental study, 28 male students from Iran University of Science and Technology, who passed the primary physical training course, were randomly divided into the experimental and control groups [age= 19.14 +/- 1.24, weight= 70.13 +/- 11.76 kg, height= 175.42 +/- 5.86 cm, body fat percentage= 19.11 +/- 5.98]. Blood samples were taken from each participant in both groups and the experimental group performed the Bruce test [VO[2]max] and an eight-week aerobic exercise program three times a week with the intensity near 60-75 percent of maximum heart rate. Results of this study showed no significant difference between the experimental and control groups in the homocysteine level in posttest [P=0.75], but a significant difference was seen between the two groups in VO[2]max [P=0.0001]. However, no significant correlation was seen between the homocysteine level and VO[2]max [P=0.40, r=0.16]. Although an eight-week aerobic exercise program in young non-athlete men has no significant effect on the homocysteine level, it can increase the VO[2]max