A Comparison of Two Methods of Aerobic Exercise on Serum Orexin A and Weight Loss in Overweight and Obese Boys

The interaction between exercise, games, and brain neuron-peptides such as orexin has created new scientific fields related to the problem of obesity and its treatment. In order to compare two methods of aerobic exercise on serum orexin A and overweight and obesity, 30 overweight and obese adolescent boys (10.97±0.5 years old) were selected and randomly divided into three groups: control, indoor aerobic exercise on the treadmill, play in an open area. They exercised 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks. Serum levels of orexin A were measured using ELISA method. One-way ANOVA and LSD post hoc test were used for intergroup comparisons; dependent t student test was applied for intra-group comparisons at a significance level of P≤0.05. The results indicated that both outdoor aerobic exercise and treadmill exercise significantly increased the serum levels of orexin A (P=0.000 and P=0.001 respectively). This change was higher in play group than the other group (P=0.04). Changes in weight loss indicators including BMI and body fat percent were significant only in the outdoor aerobic exercise group and control group (P=0.046, P=0.037 respectively). Therefore, it can be concluded that outdoor aerobic exercise versus indoor aerobic exercise on the treadmill has a more significant effect on serum orexin A and weight loss.