Objective: The present study investigated the effect of eight weeks of high intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) on the apoptotic factors Bcl2 and Bax and the Bcl2/Bax ratio in response to Exhaustive Exercise in young men.
Methods: In this semi-experimental study, twenty-four young non-athlete men (age: 19.13 76 1.76 years and BMI: 23.67 59 4.59 kg / m2) were voluntarily selected and randomly arranged in three groups of HIIT(n=8) MICT (n=8) and control (n=7). Subjects in the HIIT group performed an exercise program with an intensity of 80% of maximum heart rate in five three-minute training cycles and rested actively for three minutes between each period with an intensity of 40% of maximum oxygen consumption. The MICT program consisted of 30 to 50 minutes of running with an intensity of 60 to 65% of maximum heart rate. Serum levels of Bcl2 and Bax were measured using ELISA Data analysis was done using independent t-test and analysis of variance with repeated measurements at a significance level of p˂0.05.
Results: Serum Bax levels were significantly decreased in HIIT (P = 0.005) and MICT (P = 0.002) groups, while there was no significant difference in the control group (P = 0.873). Serum Bcl-2 levels did not show significant changes in the groups. Serum Bcl2 / Bax ratio was significantly changed in MICT group (P = 0.017) but not in other groups (P = 0.622) (P = 0.463). Conclusion: it seems that performing both HIIT and MICT exercises can reduce the serum level of Bax protein, to prevent apoptosis in the cells.