The Relationship between the Intensity of Activity and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Young Girls

Today, regular physical activity and sports are widely supported by the medical and sports community. Since the intensity of activity is an important factor in the secretion of cardiovascular risk factors, the present study examined the relationship between the intensity of activity and cardiovascular risk factors in young girls.
Materials & Methods: A total of 45 female students with average values of age (20.7 ± 1.3 years), weight (58.4 ± 1.3 kg), height (164.1 ± 0.9 cm), and body mass index (23.1 ± 0.5 kg/m2) participated voluntarily in the project. Participants were divided into three groups of high-intensity (70-90% of one-repetition maximum or 1RM) and low-intensity (40-60% of 1RM) resistance training, with a control group without exercise. The two experimental groups were subjected to resistance training for 6 weeks. To measure the desired indices, blood samples were taken before and 24 h after the end of the research protocol.
Results: Results of one-way analysis of variance indicated a significant difference in hs-CRP and non-significant differences in lactate, glucose, fibrinogen, growth hormone to insulin-like growth factor ratio, and levels of LDL, HDL, and TC between the three groups. According to a post hoc test, the hs-CRP level in the high-intensity resistance training group showed a significant decrease compared to that of the control group.
Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated no significant differences between high- and low-intensity resistance training in terms of affecting the levels of cardiovascular risk factors in young girls.