the effect of aerobic training on levels of vascular and intracellular adhesion molecules in overweight middle-aged women

the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of aerobic training on levels of vascular and intracellular adhesion molecules in overweight middle-aged women. 20 sedentary obese women (mean+age: 46.1+6.88 years, bf%: 36.7+ 6.18, weight: 73.56+10 kg and bmi: 59.5+4.15 kg.m2) were selected and randomly divided into two groups. training program consisted of 50-60 min. running with an intensity of 7 met, 5 days a week for 8 weeks. fasting blood samples were analyzed for icam-1 and vcam-1 levels. blood samples were gathered after 12 hours of fasting and 48 hours after the last training program. data were analyzed by paired and independent t tests. the results showed no significant differences in variables in the pretest (p>0.05). icam-1 and vcam-1 levels decreased (18% and 8% respectively) in the experimental group (icam-1 decreased significantly, but not vcam-1). weight, bmi and bf% decreased 4.6%, 6.2%, 10% respectively. there was a significant relationship between the changes of icam-1 and bf%. it was concluded that five days of running with a 7-met intensity for 8 weeks results in weight loss as well as a significant decrease in icam-1 level in overweight subjects. finally, regular aerobic activity not only results in weight loss and bf% decrease but also significantly decreases icam-1 although vcam-1 does not change significantly.