• Effects of an Eight-Week Aerobic Exercise Intervention on Pulmonary Function Parameters, C-Reactive Protein, Creatine Phosphokinase, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Young Female Athletes: A Quasi-Experimental Study
  • Bahar Saljoughi Beranji,1 Fatemeh Mirershadi,2 Hooman Ravaei,3 Marefat Siahkouhian,4,*
    1. Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.
    2. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran
    4. Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.


  • Introduction: Regular physical activity is widely recognized as a non-pharmacological approach to improving systemic function, enhancing pulmonary capacity, and modulating inflammatory and angiogenic pathways. Recent research emphasizes the importance of aerobic exercise in regulating C-reactive protein (CRP), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), all of which play crucial roles in respiratory and vascular health. This study aimed to examine the effects of eight weeks of aerobic training on pulmonary function parameters, CRP, CPK, and VEGF in young female athletes.
  • Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2024 at Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Ardabil, Iran. Twenty physically active women (aged 19–24 years) were randomly assigned to an aerobic training group (n = 10) or a control group (n = 10). The intervention group performed moderate-intensity aerobic training three times per week for eight weeks, with each session lasting 40 minutes at 70% of maximum heart rate. Pulmonary function parameters—Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV₁)—as well as serum CRP, CPK, and VEGF levels were measured pre- and post-intervention. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests and ANCOVA.
  • Results: Aerobic training significantly improved pulmonary function indices in the intervention group, with increases in FVC (3.1 ± 0.61; p = 0.016) and FEV₁ (3.10 ± 0.58; p = 0.002) compared with baseline. Serum CRP levels decreased significantly (1.6 ± 0.61; p = 0.018), reflecting an anti-inflammatory effect. Although CPK levels did not change significantly (p = 0.83), VEGF concentrations increased markedly (9.74 ± 2.3; p = 0.01). Post-intervention comparisons confirmed significant between-group differences in CRP (p = 0.03).
  • Conclusion: Eight weeks of structured aerobic training at moderate intensity effectively improved pulmonary function, reduced systemic inflammation, and enhanced VEGF responses in young female athletes. These findings support aerobic training as a valuable non-pharmacological strategy for promoting respiratory efficiency and vascular health in active populations.
  • Keywords: Aerobic exercise, Pulmonary function, C-reactive protein, Vascular endothelial growth factor.