Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

1 Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.

2 Department of Sport Sciences, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran.

Abstract

Background: Drug consumption and addiction lead to serious cardiovascular diseases as well as inflammation. Cellular adhesion molecules are glycoproteins that mediate a leukocyte reaction to inflammation. This study aims to determine the effect of aerobic exercises on some cardiovascular factors in addicts treated with methadone.
Methods: This is a semi-experimental research. To conduct this research, 30 male addicted patients treated with methadone with a mean age of 33.53±15.42 years, 70.06±15.42kg weight and 174.8±5.69cm were selected after medical screening and randomly divided into experimental (n=16) and control (n=16) groups. First, the height, weight and body mass index (BMI) of participants in both groups were measured. Blood samples were taken from the subjects in order to measure the intercellular adhesion molecules 1 (sICAM) and cellular vascular adhesion 1 (sVCAM) in serum. The experimental group had an aerobic exercise program including use of a treadmill with a 40 to 50% maximum heart rate in the beginning and then, a 70 to 80% maximum heart rate. The control group had only a follow-up. After 8 weeks, all variables were measured in both groups. Correlated t-test and independent t-test were used for intragroup and intergroup comparisons (P<0.05). 
Results: Results showed that after 8 weeks aerobic exercises, there was no significant difference in ICAM-1 (p=0.397), VCAM-1 (P=0.521), and BMI (p=0.223).
Conclusion: Although 8-weeks aerobic exercise was not effective and sufficient for BMI, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 indicators of the addicts treated with methadone, but it reduced ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in the exercise group.

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