The effect of a period of detraining followed by resistance training on fibrosis, angiogenesis, and cardiac dimensions of male Wistar rats

Abstract

Background and aims: Resistance training is associated with certain cardiovascular adaptations. However, a lack of exercise may affect it. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a period of detraining followed by resistance training on the fibrosis, angiogenesis, and cardiac dimensions of male Wistar rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 20 male Wistar rats at the age of five weeks were randomly divided into control, training, control+detraining, and training+detraining groups. The control (8 weeks) and control+detraining (11 weeks) groups were placed in their respective cages with 24-hour free access to food and water and did not exercise for eight weeks. The resistance training+detraining and resistance training groups performed eight weeks of the resistance training protocol. The resistance training+detraining group did not do any type of training after the training period of 3 weeks. The results were analyzed by SPSS version 18. Results: In terms of fibrosis, there was a significant difference between the control and control+detraining groups (P=0.001), between control and training groups (P=0.001), and between control+detraining and training+detraining groups (P=0.001). In addition, a significant difference was found between the training and training+detraining groups in terms of fibrosis (P=0.001). In terms of angiogenesis, a significant difference was observed between the control and training groups (P=0.001) and between the training and training+detraining groups (P=0.007). Conclusion: Resistance training could reduce fibrosis and increase cardiac angiogenesis in rats. Based on the findings, fibrosis increased significantly in the detraining period compared to the active period, and angiogenesis was also reduced due to detraining.