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Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of two different exercise training protocols on myocardial fibrosis and the expression of some growth factors in aged rats., Method: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to high-intensity interval training (HIIT) group, continuous exercise training (CET) group, and the control group. After 6 weeks of experiment, mRNA levels of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), adropin proteins, and myocardial fibrosis were assessed., Results: HIIT and CET induced a significant increase in the FGF-2 and adropin and a decrease in the myocardial fibrosis in compared with the control group. HIIT induced a significant increase in the VEGF if compared with the control group. There was no significant difference between CET and control group., Conclusion: Six weeks of HIIT and CET attenuated age-related myocardial fibrosis thereby an increase in angiogenesis-related molecules in cardiac and endothelial tissues.

The novel pandemic called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as a global public health emergency, seems to be having a major impact on physical activity (PA) behaviors. Older adults are at high risk of death from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2). Health authorities around the world have been implementing preventive health measures, including quarantine and self-isolation, to mitigate the COVID-19 outbreak. This period is characterized by the cessation of outdoor exercising. During this period of lockdown, PA has been one of the rare reasons for going out in some countries. To avoid the harmful effects of periods of exercise cessation, PA could be prescribed to older adults, which is of great importance for breaking their sedentary lifestyle and improving their immunity. The present review discusses the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on sedentary behavior and physical inactivity in older adults. The importance of performing PA to reduce the harmful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is discussed, and useful recommendations on home-based exercise for the older adults to maintain their level of independence, physical and mental health as well as their well-being are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]