PHYSIOLOGICAL AREA   

Medicina dello Sport 2009 March;62(1):33-43

Copyright © 2009 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English, Italian

Effects of interval training on lipid profiles of adolescent Nigerian boys and girls

Adeyanju E. S. ¹, Atiku M. ², Toriola A. L. ³

¹ Department of Physical and Health Education Federal College of Education, Kano, Nigeria 2 Department of Biochemistry, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria 3 Department of Sports Rehabilitation and Dental Services Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa

Aim. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of interval training on the lipid profiles of adolescent Nigerian boys (N.=30. and girls (N.=30).
Methods. The lipid profiles assessed included the Very Low Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (VLDL-C); Low Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (LDL-C); and the High Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (HDL-C). Pre-, mid- and post-test values of these lipoprotein subfractions were determined from blood samples obtained from participants 24 hours prior to training, after 6 weeks and at the end of exercise program respectively. The subjects were randomly selected and divided into two equal groups of 30 subjects (M=15; F=15. for experimental (Interval training. and control. The experimental group was exposed to 12-week training while the control group did not participate in the running program.
Results. Findings revealed significant sex-specific reductions in VLDL-C (F=11.579; P<0.05), LDL-C (F=29.759; P<0.05. and a significant sex-specific increase in HDL-C (F=34.541; P<0.05).
Conclusion. The greater modifications found in females than in males (except in HDL-C. due to training were possibly as a result of initial fitness level, enzymatic and hormonal modifications at sub-cellular level during training. Implications of the findings for health and fitness were discussed.