The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 and Adiponectin in Obese Men

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise on fibroblast growth factor 21 and adiponectin in obese men. 20 obese men were selected and randomly divided into experimental group (age 29.40±3.34 years, height 1.80±0.053 m, weight 108.10±7.86 kg, body mass index 33.13±1.68 kg/m2) and control group (age 29.80±2.39 years, height 1.79±0.052 m, weight 106.80±8.16 kg, body mass index 33.13±1.93 kg/m2). The experimental group performed aerobic exercises with an intensity of 60-75% of target heart rate for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected after 12 to 14 hours of fasting before and after 8 weeks. Data were analyzed with covariance analysis at P≤0.05. The results showed that 8 weeks of aerobic exercise significantly increased fibroblast growth factor 21 (P=0.011), adiponectin (P=0.000), performance of beta cell (P=0.008) and insulin (P=0.000) compared to the control group. Also, glucose levels had no significant changes after 8 weeks of aerobic exercise in the experimental group compared with the control group (P>0.05). Based on these findings, aerobic exercise may improve the performance of pancreatic beta cells in obese men through an increase in adiponectin and fibroblast growth factor 21 levels and also favorable changes in serum insulin.