Introduction: The high intensity interval exercise has been frequently recommended in multiple exercise science sources and for achievement of training results and even in order to maintain and expand the weight reduction and cardiovascular benefits, too much emphasis has been put on this model. Despite the many benefits that in various sources of sport sciences have been attributed to high intensity intermittent exercise, the study of the acute response of this type of activity in the elderly who are considered as high risk groups of heart complications is very limited. In addition, most physicians use echocardiography as the gold standard for diagnosis of left ventricular dysfunction. But due to its cost and limited availability in emergency situations, it has limitations. So even if the echocardiography be available, the measurement of heart damage biomarkers can be a useful tool for evaluating cardiac dysfunction. So, the aim of this study was to compare acute cardiac damage biomarkers (troponin T) to two different protocols of short and long intermittent exercise in active older men.
Methodology: 10 active older men with an average age of 63±4.6 years, height 1.71±0.05 m, and a weight of 76.7±7.5 kg, were subjects of this study. Lack of chronic diseases (cardiovascular, liver, kidney and blood), smoking and drugs, lack of musculoskeletal injuries, lack of blood pressure and cardiovascular medications were considered in the selection of subjects.The two exercise protocols had equal duration. Short and long term activities included 12 min running respectively with 20 s and 3 min intervals (85% of maximum heart rate) with the work to rest ratio of 1:1. Blood samples were taken before and after the two protocols. All subjects performed both protocols on the same term and with 7 days interval for washout.
Results: Pre amounts of troponin T was 8.1±1.3 ng/l and after long interval exercise protocol (12.1±2.6) was significantly more than short interval (9.8±1.7) (P<0/05).
Discussion: Short-term high intensity intermittent exercise is a more secure protocol to prevent cardiovascular risks in elderly.