high intensity interval training (hiit): beneficial or harmful? an investigation of bone mass density changes after high intensity interval training in adult male wistar rats

the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high intensity interval training (hiit) on bone mass density in adult male wistar rats. for this purpose, 16 rats (weight 250±20 g and 6 weeks old) were divided into experimental group (n=8) and control group (n=8). after a week of orientation to the training protocol, 8 weeks of incremental hiit was performed. 24 hours after the last training session, the subjects were anesthetized and sacrificed and their femur was removed and placed in formalin. bone mineral density (bmd, g/cm2) and bone mineral content (bmc, g/cm2) in three regions (neck, middle, trochanter) of the femur were measured using dexa analysis. independent t test was used for statistical analysis. results showed a significant reduction in bmd and bmc at femoral neck and trunk while the reduction in trochanter bmc of the experimental group was not significant. based on these findings, hiit may not have desired stimulatory effects on bone mass density.