Effect of 8-weeks of Combined Exercise Training on Plasma Leptin and Adiponectin levels in Obese Boys

Adipocytokines play an important role in controlling energy homeostasis, and in various metabolic processes related to obesity.  Therefore, the aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of 8-week of combined exercise training on plasma leptin and adiponectin levels in obese boys.

A total of 40 obese boys (age: 12.7±0.46 years, weight 78.46±10.19 kg, height 161.72±8.16 cm, and body fat 33.04±4.30 %) were divided into two combined exercise training (CT) and control groups. Subjects in the CT group participated in a combined aerobic (30 min) and resistance (one set of 7 resistance exercises) training program 3 times/week for 8 weeks, whereas those in the control group had no regular exercise and continued their routine daily activities. Body mass, body fat, plasma leptin and adiponectin levels were measured before and after the training program.  The data were compared using Paired and ‌independent t-test.

The between-group comparison showed that body fat percentage (P=0.42), body weight (P=0.88) and plasm leptin level (P=0.065) did not change significantly after combined exercise training; however, plasma adiponectin level (P=0.001) and adiponectin/ body fat (%) ratio (P= 0.014) increased significantly in response to combined exercise training.

The results indicated that eight-week combined exercises training increased plasma adiponectin level in childhood obesity. Furthermore, regular physical activity without simultaneous changes in body composition level had no significant effect on leptin level.