Previous studies have shown the increase of heat shock protein (HSP72) following exercise in animals. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of type of exercise on HSP72 response in active young females. Nineteen female physical education students were randomly divided into two groups: an endurance training group (ETG) and a weight training group (WTG). The exercise protocol in the ETG included incremental running to exhaustion performed at 65–75% VO2max on a treadmill with a 0% grade. The subjects in the WTG also performed 4 sets of eccentric contractions of elbow flexors: two sets of 25 reps at 50% 1RM and two sets of 15–20 reps at 60% 1RM. Blood sampling from antecubital vein was done at baseline level (rest), mid-exercise and 30 min post-exercise in the same conditions, after a 12–14 h overnight fast. The samples were sent to a laboratory and centrifuged, and the serum used to analyse variables. A sandwich **Elisa and enzymatic assay were used for determination of HSP72 values and creatine kinase (CK) respectively. The data were analysed with repeated measures, LSD post hoc and independent t-test at p<0.05. The results showed HSP72 level alterations in mid- and post-tests were only significant in the ERG in comparison with baseline values (p=0.007, p=0.03 respectively). In addition, HSP72 level alterations within the ETG and WTG were only significant mid-test. Also CK levels insignificantly increased and decreased in the ETG and WTG respectively. The CK alterations in mid- and post-tests were insignificant between groups. Thus these results suggest that eccentric weight exercise induces a further increase in HSP72 levels.
