The Effect of Aerobic and Resistance Exercises on Hormonal Changes in Non-Athlete Students at Shiraz University, Southern Iran

Considering the effect of leptin and different hormones on energy homeostasis, metabolism and weight changes, the relationship between these variables and sport activities have been taken into consideration by researchers. This study was conducted to determine the effect of aerobic and resistance exercises (weight training) on hormonal changes of leptin, insulin, cortisol, thridotironine and thyroxin levels in non-athlete students at Shiraz University, southern Iran. Sixty non-athlete male students at Shiraz University were randomly divided into 3 groups of control, aerobic and resistance exercises. The exercise programs were continued for 8 weeks, 3 sessions each week. Participants were bled between 8 and 10 o''clock in the morning in a fasting state. Leptin, insulin, cortisol, thridotironin and Thyroxin levels of plasma were measured in 5 phases (before the beginning of exercise, at the end of the second, fourth, sixth, and eighth weeks of exercise). In the aerobic group, the mean leptin and insulin levels decreased significantly during the 5 measurement phases but the cortisol and thyroxin levels increased significantly. In the resistance exercise group, there was a significant decrease in leptin and insulin levels. When the mean levels of cortisol, thridotironine and thyroxin increased, these changes were not significant. Exercise can change hormonal concentration of insulin, cortisol, growth hormone, catecholamine, testosterone, etc. and the metabolism of free fatty acids, lactic acid, triglyceride, etc and reduce the amount of adipose tissue and energy consumption.