Background and Objective: Regular physical activity can improve the function of various body systems and exert significant effects on pulmonary function, inflammation, and vascular growth factors. The present study aimed to determine the effects of eight weeks of aerobic exercise training on pulmonary function, C-reactive protein (CRP), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in active young females.
Methods: This field trial was conducted on 20 active young females aged 19 to 24 years at University of Mohaghegh Ardabili in 2024. The subjects were randomly assigned to two groups of 10, including an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group performed a regular aerobic exercise training program for eight weeks (three sessions per week) at an intensity of 70% of their maximum heart rate (HRmax) for 40 minutes per session, whereas the control group had no specific physical activity. Pulmonary function indices, including forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), as well as CRP, CPK, and VEGF levels, were measured before and after the training period.
Results: Following 8 weeks of aerobic exercise training, the intervention group demonstrated a significant increase in FVC (3.11±0.61) and FEV1 (3.10±0.58) compared to the control group (P<0.05), alongside a statistically significant decrease in CRP (1.6±0.61) (P<0.05). However, changes in CPK levels were not significant. Additionally, VEGF (9.74±2.3) significantly increased post-intervention compared to the control group (P<0.05). Between-group comparisons revealed no significant differences at the pre-test stage. Conversely, a statistically significant difference in CRP levels was observed between the groups at the post-test stage (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Eight weeks of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise training (at 70% of HRmax) was effective in improving pulmonary function, reducing CRP, and increasing VEGF in active young females.