Effects of 6 weeks of low volume high intensity interval training on serum levels of leptin, glucose, and body fat in young wrestlers

Leptin is a polypeptide cytokine which is correlated with body weight changes and energy consumption. It can be affected by exercise training. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of 6 weeks of low volume high intensity interval training on serum levels of leptin, glucose, and body fat percentage in young wrestlers. 20 young wrestlers were divided into two experimental (n = 10) and control (n=10) groups. The experimental group performed high intensity interval training for six weeks (3 sessions per week) that consisted of 3 sets of RAST protocol (6 efforts in the 35m distance followed by a 10 second rest interval after each efforts) with 4 minutes rest after each set in the first week. Each week one set added to the protocol for 4 weeks. Independent t -test and ANOVA were used for data analysis. T-test results indicated that 6 weeks of high intensity interval training did not lead to significant changes in leptin levels and body fat percentage in the wrestlers (P>0.05), but plasma glucose significantly decreased in response to exercise training (P≤0.05). Moreover adipose tissue percentage after the period of exercise training decreased but this decrease was not statistically significant (p=0.238). RM-ANOVA results indicated that one session of high intensity interval training in 3 different steps of training (before and after the intervention and after 90 minutes) before and after 6 weeks of high intensity interval training did not affect serum leptin levels significantly (P>0.05). After one episode of low volume, high intensity interval training there was no statistically significant change in the serum levels of leptin, which could be due to lack of change in body fat percentage and inadequate training volume in the young wrestlers.