Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Different training regimes cause different physiological changes and adaptations. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a four-week endurance and circuit resistance training on serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Heat shock protein (Hsp70) levels in inactive college students.

Methods: Twenty-four inactive males (Age: 22.67±4.3 yrs, Weight:  69.95±14.8 kg, BMI: 23.68±3.7 Kg/m2) were randomly divided into three groups including: endurance training, resistance training and control. The resistance-training group performed circuit resistance training at the intensity of 65-80% 1RM, 3 days a week for 4 weeks. The endurance-training group performed 30-45 minute interval running at the intensity of %65-%80 of maximum heart rate.  Before and 48 hours after experimental period blood samples were taken in order to assess serum levels of SOD and Hsp70. One-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc test were used to analyze the data.

Results: Circuit resistance training significantly increased serum SOD and Hsp70 levels in inactive males (p<0.05), but endurance training had no significant effect on SOD and Hsp70 levels (p>0.05). Moreover, in the present study we observed no significant difference between groups (p<0.05).

Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, it could be concluded that changes in Hsp70 and SOD levels following circuit and resistance training may be different. Therefore, in a short period of four-week, resistance training was more effective than endurance training.