The effect of regular aerobic training on serum level of β-endorphin and perceived training exertion in addicts with emphasis on brain reward center

 Background and Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the
effect of aerobic training on β- endorphin level and perceived training exertion in addicted
men.   Materials and Methods: In this study, 20 addicted men aged
20-33 years old were randomly selected after a public call and were divided
into drug supplement (n=10) and exercise-drug supplement (n=10)
groups.
While the first group had consumption of 10 milligram/day of methadone,
the exercise-drug supplement group performed exercise
training to intensity of 70-75 percent of VO2max for 20 sessions (5 sessions
per week and for 45 to 55 minutes in each session) in addition to intervention of drug supplement
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Also, for checking
of desired changes after intervention, blood samples were taken for survey of β-endorphin level
and perceived training exertion was performed by
Borg
scale. Finally, SPSS
software was used for data analysis at a significant level of p < 0.05.    Results: Statistical surveys showed that
after intervention, level of β-endorphin significantly increased in both
groups (p < 0.05). Also, perceived training exertion
significantly decreased in exercise-drug supplement
group (p=0.002). In addition, in exercise-drug supplement
group, there was a significant negative relationship between β-endorphin levels and perceived training
exertion (p=0.033).   Conclusion: Considering the results of this study and existing literature,
we can conclude that method of exercise-drug
supplement is presumably a better one
for treatment of addicted men in comparison with other interventions.
It is also a good method for enhancement of endocrine system in addicted men.
However, further research is needed to confirm available data.