Safieh Azadi Fard, Mehdi Moradi, Mohammad Malekipooya,
Volume 28, Issue 4 (10-2025)
Abstract
Introduction: Since endurance training and a fasting diet are effective in reducing the symptoms of heart disease, this study aimed to investigate the effect of a period of endurance training with electrical stimulation on the expression of ICAM and VCAM genes in the heart tissue of obese fasting rats.
Methods: In this study, 35 male Wistar rats (8 weeks old, average weight 200 ± 19 g) were rendered obese and then randomly assigned to five groups of seven: obese control, fasting, fasting with endurance training, fasting with electrical stimulation, and fasting with endurance training with electrical stimulation. All groups except the obese control followed a 16/8 intermittent fasting protocol. The endurance training lasted 4 weeks, with 5 sessions per week, starting at 50% of maximal oxygen consumption in the first week and progressing to 65% by the fourth week. Electrical stimulation was delivered via foot shock (0.5 mA for 20 min). 24 hours after the last session, cardiac tissue was extracted under deep anesthesia. The expression levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 genes in the heart were measured using real-time PCR. Data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's post-hoc test, with the significance level set at P ≤ 0.05.
Results: The results of the present study demonstrated that intermittent fasting, endurance training, and electrical stimulation—each independently—led to a significant reduction in the gene expression of vascular adhesion molecules in the cardiac tissue of obese rats (P = 0.001). Moreover, it appears that the combination of all three interventions exerts a greater effect in reducing the expression levels of these adhesion molecules in the cardiac tissue of obese rats (P = 0.001).
Conclusions: Based on the findings, the simultaneous application of endurance training, intermittent fasting, and electrical stimulation exerts a considerable impact on decreasing the expression of VCAM and ICAM in cardiac tissue. However, it is still not possible to definitively determine the directionality of the individual or combined effects of intermittent fasting, endurance training, and electrical stimulation (foot-shock stimulation) on adhesion molecules under conditions of obesity and intermittent fasting.
Mohammad Parastesh, Ali Yasavoli Sharahi, Jalil Moradi, Behzad Aria,
Volume 28, Issue 6 (1-2026)
Abstract
Introduction: Physical and cognitive fitness are crucial in futsal, making the identification of effective training methods essential. This study aimed to investigate the effects of two high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocols on plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, working memory, and selected physical fitness factors (aerobic and anaerobic capacity) in adolescent futsal players.
Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted on 15–16-year-old futsal players from Arak city with at least three years of club experience (approved by Arak University Ethics Committee, code: IR.ARAKU.RCE.1401.027). Twenty-four participants were randomly assigned to HIIT1 (10×1-minute intervals with 1-minute rest) or HIIT2 (3×4-minute intervals with 2-minute rest) groups, training for eight weeks. Aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity, plasma BDNF levels, and working memory were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Data were analyzed using Paired and Independent T-tests (P <0.05).
Results: The HIIT1 group showed significant improvements in aerobic capacity (P = 0.001) and BDNF levels (P = 0.001). Similarly, HIIT2 demonstrated significant increases in aerobic capacity (P = 0.001), anaerobic capacity (P = 0.014), and BDNF levels (P = 0.001). Working memory showed no significant changes in either group (P = 0.780), with no between-group differences observed.
Conclusions: Both HIIT protocols significantly improved aerobic capacity and BDNF levels, while only HIIT2 enhanced anaerobic capacity. Neither protocol affected working memory. HIIT appears effective for enhancing physiological and physical fitness factors in adolescent futsal players.
