The Effect of Eight Weeks of Aerobic Training on VO2max and Indices in 30-45 Year Old Non-athlete Women

Document Type : Original Article

Abstract

Purpose: Research has shown that blood components may vary with physical exercises so that some variations 
may result in anemia in both athletes and non-athletes. The present study aims to investigate the effect of 8 weeks 
of aerobic training on VO2max and hematologic indices in 30-45 year old non-athlete women in Galugah Township.
Material and Methods: The method of the study is quasi-experimental including a pre-test, post-test and 
control group. The participants of the study consisted of 30 non-athlete women (Mean age=36.9 yrs, Mean 
weight=74.09 kg, Mean height=158.30 cm). The training protocol included 8 weeks of aerobic training, 3 sessions 
a week, each comprising 60 minutes running exercise at 60-70% maximum heart rate. Blood samples were 
collected and examined both before and after the training protocol. Dependent t test was run to compare the pretest and post-test results in either group, and independent t test was used to compare the mean scores between the 
groups (α=0.05). 
 Results: Following 8 weeks of aerobic training, RDW variations (decreases) was not significant despite 
significant increases in VO2max, RCB, HCT and Hb as well as significant decreases in iron, ferritin, MCV, MCH 
and MCHC in the experimental group comparing with in the post-test . Following 8 weeks of aerobic training, 
VO2max values significantly increased in the experimental group comparing with the control group. Ferritin, iron, 
RBC, MCV and MCH values significantly decreased in the experimental group in the post-test comparing with 
the control group whereas Hct, Hb and RDW values increased in the control group comparing with the 
experimental group, though the variations were not significant. MCHC values non-significantly increased in the 
control group in the post-test comparing with the experimental group. Discussion and Conclusion: We report that aerobic training can cause variations in hematologic indices in 
middle-aged women. Moreover, aerobic training not only exerts a favorable influence upon cardiovascular 
adaptations, but it is also the most significant factor to increase VO2max in the individual.

Keywords

• Aerobic training
• Red blood cell
• Iron
• Ferritin
• Hematologic indices

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