Abstract
Introduction. Inflammatory and coagulation factors are among the various factors that are involved in the development of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of eight weeks of combined training (endurance-intermittent resistance and endurance-continuous resistance) on coagulation, fibrinolytic and lipid profiles of overweight women.
Material and Methods. This was a quasi-experimental study of 36 overweight women, who were divided into three groups of endurance-intermittent resistance training (n = 12), endurance-continuous resistance training (n = 12) and control (n = 12). The training was performed during eight weeks, three times a week, and each session lasted for 80 to 90 minutes. Blood samples were analyzed for the concentrations of coagulation, fibrinolytic and lipid profiles before and after the completion of the training program.
Results. Fibrinogen levels, prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT) and platelet count decreased significantly at the end of the training in both intervention groups. However, serum levels of D-dimer increased significantly in both training groups. Also, the levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) decreased significantly, while the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased significantly.
Conclusions. Combined exercise improved most coagulation factors and lipid profiles at the end of the training period. Therefore, the results of our research suggest that a combined exercise program can improve the health of overweight women.