Abstract
Background. This study focused on the effect of two selected training methods on angiogenic and angiostatic regulating factors in the blood circulation of elderly men.
Methods. The present research is of a practical nature and was conducted with two experimental groups and one control group in the form of a pre-test and post-test. Overall, 30 people in the age range of 60‒65 years in the aerobic, combined, and control groups were selected as the research sample. An aerobic exercise protocol with an intensity of 60‒75% of the maximum reserve heart rate and combined exercise, including aerobic and strength training, with an intensity of 60‒75% of 1RM were implemented over 8 weeks. Blood sampling was performed 24 hours before the first session. Forty-eight hours after the last training session, leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG-1) and thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the data were analyzed by the analysis of covariance test, post hoc least significant difference, and intra-group changes using a paired t-test at a significance level of P ≥ 0.05.
Results. After the protocol, there was a significant difference between the research groups in terms of LRG-1 (P ≥ 0.005) and TSP-1 (P ≥ 0.001) compared to the control group. LRG-1 increased after combined training, while TSP-1 showed the greatest decrease after aerobic training. The results of the paired t-test indicated a significant increase in LRG-1 and a decrease in TSP-1 after the test compared to the pre-test in the group of aerobic and combined exercises.
Conclusion. Combined and aerobic exercises are effective on the angiogenic and angiostatic factors of the elderly, but due to the greater effect of combined exercises on the angiogenic factors, it is recommended that the elderly, in addition to aerobic exercises, use strength exercises in their sports programs as well.
Practical Implications. Compared to combined exercises, aerobic exercises have the greatest effects on increasing the angiogenic factor and reducing angiostatic factors in this age group, which may lead to an improvement in the quality of life.